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TOURING  AFOOT 


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THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

HKW  YORK  •    BOSTON   •    CHICAGO  •    DALLAS 
ATLANTA  •   SAN  FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  LIMITED 

LONDON  •    BOMBAY   •    CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  Lm 

TORONTO 


TOURING  AFOOT 


BY 

DR.  C.  P.  FORDYCE 


fork 
THE  MACMILLAN   COMPANY 

1922 

All  rights  reserved 


PRINTED  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 


COPYRIGHT!    1916 

BY  THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 


•Reprinted,  April,  1922. 


FERRIS 

PRINTING  COMPANY 
NEW  YORK  CITY 


GY 

107 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I  HITTING  THE  TRAIL  ..........  9 

II  GOING  IN  "LIGHT"  ..........  19 

III  WOODS  WALKING  WITH  A  PACK    ......  26 

IV  MAP   READING     ...........  36 

V  PACKS  AND  PACKING     .........  47 

VI  FOOTWEAR  .............    63 

VII  EFFICIENT  CRUISING  SHELTERS  .......    76 

VIII  CAMP  MAKING     ...........    92 

IX  THE  OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION  .......  100 

X  CHOOSING  THE  LIGHT  WEIGHT  MESS  KIT  .     .     .     .116 

XI  THE  RATION  LIST      ..........  123 

XII  HEALTH  HINTS  FOR  HIKERS  ........  139 

XIII  WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT  .........  155 

APPENDIX  .............  167 


869273 


TOURING  AFOOT 


TOURING  AFOOT 

CHAPTER  I 

HITTING  THE  TRAIL 

WALKING  tours  are  popularly  sup- 
posed to  be  feasible  chiefly  for 
those  to  whom  this  method  of 
travel  is  incidental  to  their  occupation — tim- 
ber cruisers,  landlookers,  prospectors,  game 
wardens  and  trappers  of  the  North — men  who 
daily  match  themselves  against  the  forces  of 
Nature.  To  the  average  city  man  rarely  does 
it  occur  that  by  substituting  walking,  our  most 
natural  means  of  locomotion — even  if  carried 
no  farther  than  the  daily  to  and  from  business 
trip — for  the  rapid  transportation  perfected  in 
our  modern  industrial  life  he  can  attain  better 
business  efficiency  and  an  increased  physical  and 
mental  well  being. 

The  average  sportsman  of  today  is  in  most 
cases  a  plain,  unpretentious  business  man  of 
sedentary  habits  and  with  a  consequent  physical 

condition  a  little  below  the  normal,  but  fortu- 

9 


10  TOURING  AFOOT 

nately  he  retains  a  primitive  unsatiated  love  of 
the  outdoors.  This  same  business  man  needs, 
as  few  others  do,  exercise  to  regain  and  retain 
health  and  efficiency.  Without  this  exercise 
his  occupation  which  keeps  him  indoors  results 
in  physical  inactivity  reducing  his  usefulness  and 
happiness  and  markedly  affecting  his  tenure  of 
life.  The  average  span  of  life  is  between  45 
and  60  years.  The  age  limit  should  extend 
from  80  to  100  years  and  this  can  be  made  the 
rule  if  we  but  go  about  it  rightly.  A  large 
percentage  of  American  business  men  have 
functional  heart  disease  because  of  lack  of  ex- 
ercise. They  could  well  afford  to  walk  daily 
until  tired  out  in  order  to  rid  themselves  of 
drawn  faces,  sallow  cheeks,  and  weak  hesitat- 
ing steps.  To  them  pedestrianism  affords  not 
only  profit  but  real  pleasure  in  getting  away 
from  the  routine  of  city  and  office  irk  and  hieing 
to  the  glorious  out  of  doors. 

Years  ago  man  was  a  savage,  and  in  spite  of 
the  restraining  influences  of  civilization  which 
have  acted  for  centuries  the  spirit  of  this  primi- 
tive life  is  still  strong  within.  There  is  after 
all  but  one  class  of  men  who  live  in  the  world 
and  they  inhabit  the  wild  places — the  rest  of  us 
only  exist.  We  do  not  thrive  in  cities  but  sim- 
ply adjust  ourselves  to  their  unnatural  and  per- 


HITTING  THE  TRAIL         11 

plexing  conditions.  In  the  out  of  doors  sheer 
physical  existence  may  afford  the  richest  pleas- 
ure. 

It  is  commonly  conceded  as  a  well  established 
hygienic  fact  that  unexercised  muscles  become 
useless  and  inefficient,  a  condition  which  only 
properly  directed  physical  exertion  will  restore 
to  assist  in  meeting  the  exigencies  of  our  mod- 
ern top-speed  life.  This  exercise  must  be 
varied  to  escape  tediousness.  Indoor  gymnas- 
tics is  not  enough:  outdoor  games  provide 
proper  lung  aeration  but  these  are  not  feasible 
for  all :  nipedestrianism  is  the  simplest,  safest, 
most  spontaneous,  and  hygienic  means  of  exer- 
cise. For  most  people  no  other  sport  is  such 
an  untasted  experience,  yet  none  is  so  productive 
of  healthful  results  or  so  well  adapted  to  the 
means,  physique,  and  temperament  of  the 
masses.  Indeed  in  this  age  of  mechanical 
transportation  we  have  almost  forgotten  that 
we  were  endowed  with  a  pair  of  legs,  given  us 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  walking — an  essential 
exercise  in  the  building  up  of  healthy  bodies  and 
minds. 

A  three  mile  walk  daily  in  the  fresh  air  is  an 
exercise  par  excellence  and  is  within  the  reach 
of  all.  It  may  be  tedious  at  first  but  when  later 
it  becomes  a  habit  it  affords  real  joy.  The  first 


12  TOURING  AFOOT 

cost  is  in  the  adjustment  of  business  cares  and 
in  selecting  time:  the  next  involves  physical  ex- 
ertion itself.  Anyone  who  has  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  past  life  in  a  sedentary  oc- 
cupation can  safely  enjoy  such  trips  if  he  uses 
common  sense  at  the  outset  and  starts,  say,  on 
a  mile  a  day  and  gradually  increases  the  length 
of  the  walk.  Systematically  followed  pedes- 
trianism  accomplishes  a  number  of  things — 
there  is  better  sleep,  an  increased  circulation 
and  new  nerve  force:  all  the  muscles  are 
brought  into  play  as  is  proven  by  the  general 
stiffness  of  the  beginner  (which  however  dis- 
appears on  hardening)  extra  fat  and  flesh  are 
eliminated  and  minor  ailments  are  overcome. 
There  is  a  real  joy  in  living  for  with  health 
everything  is  a  pleasure. 

Every  one  ought  to  walk  and  nearly  every 
one  who  walks  ought  to  do  more  of  it  than  he 
does.  Should  pedestrianism  become  universal 
the  present  generation  would  be  far  healthier 
and  happier  and  their  children  would  be  stur- 
dier and  more  beautiful.  The  old  English 
habit  of  taking  a  constitutional  walk  every  day 
speaks  in  no  small  measure  for  much  of  the 
strength  and  stability  of  the  British  character. 
There  is  a  general  trend  of  interest  in  America 
to-day  toward  pedestrianism  and  many  persons 


HITTING  THE  TRAIL         13 

are  eager  for  information  as  to  where  to  go, 
what  to  take  and  how  to  take  care  of  oneself  so 
as  to  derive  the  greatest  benefit  —  queries  for 
which  we  should  now  find  answer. 

Being  mindful  of  the  unlimited  possibilities 
which  walking  affords  for  renewing  youth  the 
first  task  is  found  in  the  revolution  of  habits  of 
living  and  the  adjustment  of  the  daily  routine  to 
include  say  two  hours  a  day  in  road  tramping. 
If  persisted  in  a  remarkable  change  will  result 
—  a  notable  clearness  of  mental  power,  keen- 
ness of  appetite  and  a  zest  for  life's  work.  It 
won't  be  long  until  one  automatically  increases 
the  range  and  endurance. 

Tramping  may  be  arbitrarily  divided  into 
(A)  Road  Tramping  and  (B)  Forest  Cruising. 

ROAD  TRAMPING  or  real  pedestrianism  com- 
prehends short  walks  as  a  training  for  physical 
well  being  which,  as  one  becomes  experienced, 
may  be  lengthened  to  include  an  occasional  all 
day  country  tour  as  a  wise  utilization  of  holi- 
days, or,  one  who  becomes  an  adept  may  even 
plan  to  spend  his  annual  two  weeks'  vacation 
period  in  a  lengthy  walking  trip  upon  some  of 
the  better  known  highways  in  any  civilized  sec- 
tion of  our  country  or  in  our  National  Parks 
or  as  a  tourist  in  foreign  lands.  Road  tramping 
is  for  those  to  whom  walking  appeals  yet  who 


14  TOURING  AFOOT 

do  not  care  to  bother  with  the  details  incidental 
to  camping.  The  trip  should  be  so  planned 
that  the  day's  journey  assures  a  comfortable  bed 
and  warm  meals  at  hotels,  inns  or  at  ranch 
homes.  This  broadens  one's  walking  oppor- 
tunities up  to  the  point  where  civilization  and 
wild  nature  touch. 

Such  a  trip  is  good  recreation  and  a  splendid 
sport  and  in  no  other  way  can  one  better  fa- 
miliarize himself  with  the  country's  topography 
and  the  characteristics  of  its  people.  On  the 
longer  trips  a  very  simple  kit  suffices  his  needs 
— he  wears  suitable  walking  clothes,  and  carries 
a  notebook,  some  few  toilet  articles,  a  change 
of  underwear  and  hose  and  a  rain-proof  over 
garment — all  packed  in  a  rucksack  of  some  sort. 

The  daily  local  walks  taken  by  the  pedes- 
trian to  secure  health  with  the  longer  weekly 
jaunt,  indulged  in  perhaps  as  a  member  of  some 
walking  club,  afford  an  admirable  preliminary 
preparation  for  more  arduous  outings  such  as 
a  week's  FOREST  CRUISE,  carrying  in  a  back 
pack  the  shelter,  bed  and  food  and  thus 
equipped  one  may  break  entirely  away  from 
civilization  and  eat  and  sleep  independent  of 
hotels  or  ranches. 

Those  who  feel  the  vim  of  outdoor  life,  those 
interested  in  any  phase  of  Nature  study,  those 


HITTING  THE  TRAIL         15 

wanting  to  get  away  from  the  city's  humdrum 
existence,  in  short,  all  who  want  to  recreate 
can  plan  no  more  repaying  or  zestful  days  than 
those  spent  with  a  back  pack  outfit  touring  the 
unknown  wilderness  near  home.  It  may  be  for 
any  one  of  a  variety  of  purposes — camping, 
hunting,  fishing  or  trapping,  it  matters  not  what, 
the  main  thing  is  that  one  gets  near  to  Nature 
in  her  primitive  state.  Amateur  exploration 
has  the  interesting  element  of  mystery  which 
leads  one  into  all  sorts  of  country  right  around 
home  and  which  one  never  dreamed  to  be  in 
existence.  There  are  still  greater  opportuni- 
ties if  one  gets  off  the  beaten  tracks  and  steers 
his  course  far  into  the  back  country. 

One  returns  from  such  a  trip  with  renewed 
and  abundant  vital  reserve  and  with  a  veritable 
storehouse  of  happy  memories.  He  has  tasted 
the  woodsman's  life  in  all  its  elemental  quali- 
ties—  its  seclusion  and  originality;  he  has 
learned  the  good  there  is  in  simple,  hearty 
things  and  the  exhilaration  of  spending  nights 
in  the  mountain  land  or  forest  aisles  under 
snapping  stars  in  a  moonlit  solitude.  He 
knows  no  greater  pleasure  than  that  afforded 
by  experiencing  the  charm  of  wilderness  ad- 
venture which  enslaves  him  for  life.  A  walk- 
ing trip  then  becomes  a  real  hike  when  one 


16  TOURING  AFOOT 

leaves  the  highways,  beds  and  meals  of  civiliza- 
tion and  hits  the  woods  trails  which  lead  him 
far  into  the  wilderness. 

On  a  recreation  trip  good  companionship 
cannot  be  overestimated.  Firstly,  on  a  light 
pack  trip  most  items  of  outfit  can  be  used  as 
well  by  two  as  by  one.  Again  if  one  walks 
alone  the  trail  is  apt  to  become  monotonous  and 
doubly  so  after  a  half  of  a  day's  trip  has 
been  completed.  Good  companionship  stimu- 
lates a  pleasant  mental  attitude  and  gets  one 
away  from  the  monotonous  physical  features 
of  the  walk  itself.  There  may  be  also  a  pride 
in  rivalry  to  spur  one  on  to  more  worthy  ef- 
fort; otherwise  he  is  apt  to  think  only  of  his 
arrival  at  destination.  Furthermore  in  the  soli- 
tude of  the  great  forests  the  establishment  of 
the  little  bivouac  home  and  the  fathoming  of 
the  many  secrets  of  the  trail  calls  forth  man's 
gregarious  nature. 

Look  well  to  the  choice  of  your  bunkie  for 
nowhere  else  do  weak  and  strong  characteris- 
tics come  to  the  surface  so  forcibly  as  when  men 
are  thrown  together  in  camp.  As  a  matter  of 
fact  a  wilderness  pal  of  proper  qualifications  is 
really  hard  to  find.  He  may  be  a  jolly  com- 
rade in  town  but  that  does  not  qualify  him  as 


HITTING  THE  TRAIL         17 

a  first  rate  camp  mate.  He  must  do  an  equal 
share  on  the  trail  and  in  camp,  he  should  be 
physically  fit,  generous,  fair  minded  and  big 
enough  to  overlook  the  petty  griefs  incidental  to 
rough  trail  life  every  where. 

He  who  adventures  into  the  big  timber  must 
look  also  with  exactitude  to  the  choice  of  an 
outfit,  for  the  wilderness  tramper  matches  him- 
self against  the  forces  of  nature,  and  he  must 
have  equipment  as  well  as  the  personal  qualifica- 
tions to  surmount  the  difficulties  successfully. 
The  weight  of  outfit  must  be  nominal  since  the 
packer  must  bear  it  alone  from  day  to  day,  often 
through  almost  impassable  country  where  the 
effort  necessary  in  going  forward  alone  is  quite 
sufficient  a  strain  without  that  of  having  to  carry 
a  single  unnecessary  ounce  on  his  shoulders.  A 
mistake  in  outfit  may  mean  discomfort  at  least 
and  possibly  a  spoiled  trip.  Life  outdoors 
calls  for  a  knowledge  of  equipment  and  meth- 
ods which  a  large  number  of  persons,  because 
of  their  environment,  cannot  gain  except  from 
trial,  or  such  as  is  imparted  by  some  one  more 
fortunately  experienced. 

Hence  we  do  not  speak  to  the  seasoned  cam- 
paigner or  to  him  who  on  the  short  vacation 
can  travel  with  full  equipment  and  with  guides 


18  TOURING  AFOOT 

and  who  has  abundant  transportation  facilities. 
The  beginner  however  needs  practical  sugges- 
tions for  going  light  into  the  wilderness  alone 
and  he  welcomes  simple  hints  for  hitting  the 
trail  right. 


CHAPTER  II 

GOING  IN   "  LIGHT  " 

THE  attractiveness  of  the  outdoor  life,  its 
health  giving  attributes  and  its  satisfy- 
ing of  the  primitive  in  civilized  man 
yearly  draws  hosts  of  enthusiastic  adventurers 
into  the  wilderness.  If  he  is  experienced  the 
woodsman  sets  about  in  a  prosaic  way  to  get 
pure  enjoyment  out  of  each  day's  routine  and 
he  is  able  to  do  this  because  he  knows  how. 
The  novice  however  is  apt  to  be  influenced  by 
poetic  dreams  and  his  ideas  of  kits  and  methods 
of  woodcraft  likewise  theoretical  and  idealistic 
and  sooner  or  later  he  is  to  be  rudely  awakened 
to  his  lack  of  the  elemental,  essential  creature 
comforts  which  are  so  necessary  to  his  welfare 
and  enjoyment. 

The  wilderness  dweller,  if  he  chooses  to  be 
a  true  disciple  of  the  Red  Gods  must '  go  light,1 
In  travelling  light  of  course  one  must  neces- 
sarily deny  himself  many  things  that  under  or- 
dinary circumstances  are  deemed  essentials, 
yet  it  in  no  way  needs  to  be  a  deprivation.  On 

19 


20  TOURING  AFOOT 

a  back  pack  trip  he  must  put  his  outfit  selec- 
tion through  a  rigid  exclusion  test.  The  equip- 
ment must  be  restricted  to  actual  necessities 
such  as  food,  requisites  for  cooking,  shelter  for 
the  night  and  a  good  bed  —  all  suited  to  the 
method  of  transportation.  In  camp  and  on  the 
trail  one  will  astonish  himself  at  the  makeshifts 
which  he  will  invent  to  overcome  camping  dis- 
comforts as  they  arise. 

The  selection  of  any  outfit  lends  itself  to  dis- 
pute because  the  choosing  of  its  component 
parts  is  not  an  exact  science  but  is  more  a  ques- 
tion of  temperament.  The  novice  will  suit 
himself  as  to  what  he  will  take,  for  he  naturally 
follows  the  dictates  of  personal  desires  rather 
than  absolute  needs  and  usually  he  accumulates 
about  twice  as  much  equipment  as  conditions 
demand.  Sooner  or  later  his  experience  will 
guide  him  into  the  safe  course:  he  will  learn 
the  science  of  smoothing  it  —  of  being  com- 
fortable —  when  he  goes  out  to  '  rough  it.' 

It  goes  unquestioned  that  the  less  you  carry 
on  your  back  the  less  will  be  your  fatigue  at 
the  day's  end:  the  smaller  the  burden  you  carry 
in  your  pack  the  more  must  be  your  knowledge 
of  how  to  employ  the  artifices  of  woodcraft  in 
utilizing  nature's  primitive  stores. 

The  weight  and  bulk  must  be  accommodated 


GOING  IN  "LIGHT"  21 

to  the  means  of  transportation  at  hand.  Thus 
for  a  hike  in  the  wilderness  with  full  outfit  car- 
ried on  the  back  you  must  boil  the  necessaries 
down  to  that  irreducible  minimum  consistent 
with  comfort  whereas  were  you  travelling  by 
wagon  or  canoe  you  could  be  more  indulgent. 
You  will  have  "  boiled  "  it  down  to  the  essen- 
tials when  you  carry  the  outfit  from  season  to 
season  without  adding  to  or  subtracting  from  it. 
This  then  is  your  ideal  kit  for  it  has  withstood 
the  "  acid  test  "  of  experience.  What  one  man 
calls  a  necessity  another  calls  a  luxury,  yet  this 
same  luxury  if  the  second  man  wants  it  bad 
enough  becomes  forthwith  a  necessity. 

Having  a  proper  equipment  and  enough 
courage  for  the  undertaking  it  is  astonishing 
to  see  with  what  confidence  and  independence 
two  healthy  men  can  cut  loose  from  their  civ- 
ilized surroundings  and  with  what  comfort  and 
happiness  they  can  live  out  of  doors  during  a 
considerable  vacation  trip. 

PERSONAL  EQUIPMENT 

In  choosing  clothing  for  a  wilderness  hike, 
style  plays  no  important  part:  comfort  and 
service  are  the  main  requirements.  In  general 
it  is  a  safe  rule  to  adopt  that  kind  usually  worn 
in  the  locality  where  you  go. 


afc  TOURING  AFOOT 

The  coat  is  to  be  at  once  eliminated. 
One  never  needs  it :  it  is  cumbersome,  it  impedes 
the  swing  of  the  arms  and  is  no  protection  in 
inclement  weather.  It  readily  soaks  up  water 
or  if  made  of  waterproof  stuff  moisture  is  con- 
densed inside.  A  good  wool  sweater  is  far 
preferable  and  should  be  included  in  every  in- 
dividual pack :  you  won't  use  it  much  more  than 
for  a  warmer  at  the  evening  camp. 

The  best  headgear  is  an  old  felt  hat  of  me- 
dium brim  so  the  brush  won't  forever  be  snatch- 
ing it  off.  It  will  stay  on  the  head  better  if 
you  get  the  hat  a  size  too  small  and  rip  out  the 
lining  so  that  the  felt  can  cling  to  the  hair. 

Wear  a  coat  style  shirt  always  of  wool  or 
flannel  and  of  a  gray  or  tan  color  which  won't 
show  dirt  so  badly  as  the  popular  blue  does  nor 
is  it  so  conspicuous.  To  allow  for  shrinkage 
get  it  a  size  too  large  in  the  beginning  and  of 
medium  light  weight  because  if  too  heavy  it 
becomes  cumbersome  in  your  work:  two  mil- 
itary bellows  pockets  with  buttons  are  conven- 
ient for  small  stowaways. 

It  is  quite  advisable  to  waterproof  all  woolen 
items  in  the  outfit  after  the  following  methods : 
secure  three  ounces  of  anhydrous  wool  fat  and 
dissolve  in  chloroform.  This  is  added  to  one 
gallon  of  benzine  and  the  garments  soaked 


GOING  IN  "LIGHT"  23 

therein  for  three  minutes  and  then  hung  up  to 
dry  in  a  draft.  The  volatile  benzine  evapo- 
rates leaving  the  fibers  of  the  wool  encased  in 
the  natural  oil.  This  is  of  particular  advan- 
tage to  the  outdoor  man  since  the  woolen  fibers 
thus  treated  do  not  soak  up  water  and  swell 
but  only  allow  water  to  fill  up  the  air  inter- 
spaces of  the  fabric  from  which  it  can  be  read- 
ily expelled. 

The  trousers  will  be  subject  to  great  wear 
and  should  be  chosen  for  service  rather  than  for 
looks  or  warmth,  which  latter  will  be  taken  care 
of  by  the  wool  undersuit.  Khaki  is  light  and 
cool  but  it  notoriously  displays  dirt.  Moleskin 
or  whipcord  withstands  the  hardest  usage  and  is 
windproof  and  warm.  It  is  the  choice  of  the 
Hudson's  Bay  men  whose  discrimination  in  mat- 
ters regarding  outfit  is  to  be  respected.  The  fit 
of  the  trousers  is  a  most  important  thing  if 
one  is  to  walk  in  comfort.  They  must  not  draw 
at  the  knees  which  would  mean  speedy  fatigue 
on  the  march  and  they  should  be  of  abundant 
length  with  plenty  of  width  from  the  knee  to 
the  hip.  The  knickerbocker  style  formerly 
evolved  a  smile  of  ridicule  from  some  look- 
ers-on but  after  trying  all  sorts  and  kinds  one 
must  concede  the  "  stagged  "  style  the  best  for 
woods  walking.  If  you  have  long  trousers  cut 


24  TOURING  AFOOT 

them  off  half  way  up  to  the  knee,  slit  them  the 
rest  of  the  way  up  and  fold  over  to  a  snug  fit 
about  the  calf  and  secure  with  lacing  or  buttons. 
The  heavy  wool  socks  should  be  brought  up  over 
the  pant  legs  and  with  this  arrangement  one  is 
able  to  travel  with  more  comfort  than  with  the 
long  trousers.  Suspend  the  pants  from  the  hips 
by  a  good  leather  belt. 

The  selection  of  the  undersuit  requires  more 
care  than  the  outer  garments.  Preferably  it 
should  be  a  loosely  fitting  union  suit  of  pure 
soft  wool  regardless  of  season.  Wool  absorbs 
perspiration  and  prevents  chill.  Cotton  on  the 
other  hand  retains  perspiration  and  is  a  clammy 
chill  producer  when  the  body  begins  to  cool  off. 
Never  use  thick  underwear  even  in  winter:  bet- 
ter have  an  extra  undersuit,  a  size  larger  than 
the  one  ordinarily  worn,  for  doubling  up  in 
cold  weather.  Two  thin  suits  worn  together 
are  warmer  than  a  thick  one  weighing  as  much 
as  both:  this  is  due  to  the  dead  air  interspace 
between  the  two. 

In  a  pocket  carry  a  good  jack-knife  with  two 
blades  of  first  class  steel:  never  take  one  of  the 
many-tool  kinds.  Except  on  an  extended  trip 
you  will  not  need  a  sheath  knife.  One  with  a 
five-inch  blade  and  housed  in  a  leather  sheath 
with  belt  loop  is  best.  A  good  butcher  knife 


GOING  IN  "LIGHT"  25 

makes  an  admirable  implement  for  the  purpose. 
The  waterproof  match  box  of  metal  or  rubber 
should  always  be  carried  on  the  person  and  see 
to  it  that  it  is  kept  well  filled.  The  supply  for 
this  pocket  safe  is  to  be  drawn  from  the  mois- 
ture tight  match  can  carried  in  the  pack  sack. 
The  usual  blue  bandanna  handkerchief  will  oc- 
cupy its  place  in  the  hip  pocket  and  the  compass 
should  be  worn  in  a  shirtpocket  and  secured  to 
a  button  hole  by  a  rawhide  thong.  Or  one  may 
use  a  compass  which  pins  on  the  shirt  front 
thus  being  always  in  view  and  giving  the  hands 
freedom  for  use  in  other  ways. 


CHAPTER  III 

WOODS   WALKING   WITH   A   PACK 

THERE  is  a  certain  trick  in  learning  the 
technique  of  walking  outdoors.  Un- 
less one  takes  up  pedestrianism  to 
make  the  most  of  it  he  is  not  apt  to  perfect 
himself  in  an  art  universally  practised  in  a  slip 
shod  fashion  and  yet  which  is  one  of  the  sim- 
plest functions  of  the  human  body.  Just  this 
careful  attention  to  details  is  what  distinguishes 
the  pedestrian  from  the  mere  stroller.  Indeed 
one  must  walk  with  the  head  as  well  as  with 
the  feet,  studying  to  eliminate  the  faults  of 
gait.  The  secret  is  to  find  how  to  walk  with 
the  least  effort  to  relieve  body  rigidity  and 
thus  conserve  vital  force. 

The  gait  of  the  average  townsman  is  that  of 
a  stroller — a  distinct  up  and  down  action  with 
rather  rigid  hips,  the  toes  very  likely  pointing 
outward  and  the  heels  striking  first  and  dis- 
turbing the  balance.  The  carriage  may  be 
erect  enough  and  the  movements  springy  and 
graceful  over  firm  level  footing  but  it  is  an  ill 
poised  gait  and  exhausting  should  one  endeavor 

26 


WALKING  WITH  A  PACK     27 

to  lengthen  the  step  or  cover  the  ground  in 
good  time. 

Essentially  the  difference  between  the  above 
gait  of  the  stroller  and  that  of  the  pedestrian 
is  one  of  hip  action,  joint  looseness  and  manner 
of  foot  implantation.  The  novice  will  in  all 
likelihood  begin  his  practical  walking  on  coun- 
try roads  and  to  him  is  now  addressed  the  main 
features  of  the  proper  gait  in  pedestrianism. 
He  will  probably  be  unencumbered  with  a  pack 
and  will  have  a  firm,  level  surface  for  walk- 
ing with  consequent  freedom  to  develop  a  gait 
of  definite  "  form." 

In  the  best  regulation  gait  —  the  long  swing- 
ing stride  —  the  knee  gives  a  little  as  the  weight 
of  the  body  is  placed  on  that  leg  but  not  so  much 
as  to  bend  the  knees.  It  is  midway  between  the 
bent  knee  stride  of  the  French  Army  and  the  ex- 
treme conventional  stiff  kneed  "  goose  step  " 
of  the  German  Army.  The  foot  is  kicked  well 
forward  and  by  this  the  rate  of  speed  is  regu- 
lated rather  than  by  pressing  the  foot  against 
the  ground  as  it  leaves  it,  which  is  fatiguing. 
The  body  is  held  erect,  chest  up  and  shoulders 
back  but  not  strained  nor  lifted.  The  move- 
ments are  graceful  and  springy  as  no  joint  is 
held  in  rigidity.  The  eyes  are  fixed  about  35 
feet  ahead. 


28  TOURING  AFOOT 

There  is  considerable  of  a  swing  at  the  hips, 
in  fact  a  distinct  roll  —  the  hips  swaying  an 
inch  or  more  to  the  stepping  side  with  a  cor- 
responding long  pace.  The  leg  is  swung  back 
and  forth  from  the  hip,  the  knee  joint  aiding 
this  motion  by  adapting  the  leg  to  the  irregu- 
larities of  the  ground  surface.  As  employed 
by  professional  long-distance  walkers  the  hip 
action  is  somewhat  exaggerated.  The  hip  roll 
is  regulated  to  some  extent  by  the  swing  of  the 
arms  which  should  alternate  with  the  leg  ac- 
tion. This  is  a  means  of  instilling  a  lot  of  en- 
ergy into  the  gait.  The  tendency  is  to  overdo 
—  to  swing  too  vigorously  and  by  overswaying 
disturb  the  body  balance  with  a  resultant  fa- 
tigue. As  an  aid  to  this,  some  professional 
walkers  use  a  two  foot  light  walking  stick  or 
riding  crop  held  in  the  hands.  The  arms  may 
be  held  any  way  desirable  but  it  is  advisable  to 
carry  them  well  up. 

Woods  walking  with  a  pack  differs  greatly 
from  common  road  touring.  In  his  primitive 
forest  habitat  the  woodsman  can  outwalk  the 
experienced  pedestrian  for  he  has  the  knack  of 
negotiating  a  steady  gait  over  uneven  and  slip- 
pery ground,  edging  through  thickets  and 
worming  his  way  amid  fallen  timber,  rocks, 
brush,  etc.,  with  less  fret  and  exertion  than  one 


WALKING  WITH  A  PACK     29 

who  is  accustomed  to  smooth,  unobstructed 
paths.  The  woodsman  besides  having  the 
handicap  of  traveling  over  an  uneven  surface 
is  more  or  less  encumbered  by  a  pack  which 
even  if  made  as  light  as  possible  gives  the  hiker 
a  taste  of  real  work.  The  long  swinging  gait 
of  the  bushman  is  less  tiring  than  the  straight 
ahead  stiffer  stride  of  one  who  walks  on  smooth 
ground  as  on  city  pavements.  This  woods 
walking  is  acquired  with  experience  as  a  result 
of  physical  adaptation  to  repeated  emergency 
footing  exigencies. 

The  poise  of  an  Indian  in  the  act  of  step- 
ping would  be  found  to  be  a  perfect  body  bal- 
ance on  each  foot.  This  allows  great  control 
over  movements :  the  characteristic  silent 
stealth  of  the  redman  displays  the  greatest 
economy  of  vital  force.  He  conserves  his 
strength  and  makes  every  step  count,  often  go- 
ing around  many  places  which  otherwise  he 
could  make  with  a  hop,  skip  and  jump  —  a 
desideratum  in  preventing  fatigue  in  woods 
walking  where  the  steps  must  be  of  unequal 
length  and  the  footing  so  different. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  walking  is  unexcelled 
as  a  short  cut  exercise  to  the  attainment  of 
physical  fitness.  One  should  never  try  to  ac- 
complish too  much  at  one  time,  for  overdoing 


30  TOURING  AFOOT 

disgusts  one  with  the  pastime.  Start  in  easy, 
walk  deliberately,  adopt  an  easy,  natural  gait 
and  maintain  it.  Short  rests  are  permissible 
but  if  overdone  they  result  in  stiff  muscles  and 
chill. 

The  question  of  the  number  of  miles  to  at- 
tempt on  a  day's  tramp  is  tempered  by  the  sev- 
eral conditions  of  roads,  trails,  altitudes,  hills, 
size  of  pack,  if  on  such  a  trip,  and  physical 
capabilities.  One  records  then  variations  in 
tours  from  the  accomplishment  of  but  two  miles 
a  day  with  a  back  pack  on  a  woods  tramp  over 
seemingly  impassable  swamp  to  the  profes- 
sional achievement  of  the  famous  Weston  who 
between  his  seventy-first  and  seventy-second 
birthday  walked  from  New  York  to  California 
and  back  at  the  rate  of  46  miles  a  day. 

For  the  average  business  man  a  one  to  five 
mile  tramp  each  afternoon  is  an  admirable  and 
perfectly  feasible  exercise:  in  fact  this  distance 
is  covered  by  many  in  their  daily  activities. 
Take  the  first  mile  or  two  slowly  to  limber  up. 
Daily  one  can  increase  the  distance  as  the  per- 
fecting of  the  stride  and  endurance  permits  un- 
til he  can  cover  twenty  to  twenty-five  miles  a 
day  in  road  walking  without  injury  —  a  feat 
not  difficult  to  attempt  if  one  is  in  good  health. 
Taken  as  a  once  a  week  culmination  to  the 


WALKING  WITH  A  PACK     31 

daily  several  mile  walk  the  twenty-five  mile 
walk  is  as  much  as  the  inexperienced  walker 
should  take  and  not  feel  inconvenienced.  For 
the  experienced  a  trip  of  this  length  would  be 
merely  incidental. 

Three  miles  an  hour  is  comfortable  for  a 
day's  trip.  The  infantry  gait  is  three  miles 
and  is  sufficient  for  the  amateur  who  is  out  for 
his  health.  It  is  not  easy  to  walk  four  miles 
an  hour  and  keep  it  up  and  it  is  certainly  too 
much  for  the  novice  to  attempt. 

In  estimating  the  rate  of  travel  measure  your 
pace,  the  average  is  two  feet  in  length,  and  time 
yourself  for  the  approximately  2500  paces  per 
measured  mile,  counting  the  1250  right  foot 
implantations,  and  then  use  time  for  estimating 
distance  rather  than  the  linear  measure  of  mile- 
age which  latter  is  impossible  in  the  unmapped 
wilderness.  If  you  care  to  be  more  exact  the 
pedometer  can  be  used.  Don't  try  to  break 
the  record  —  it  is  endurance  not  speed  that 
counts.  Be  free  to  choose  your  course,  and 
never  hurry  lest  self  reprehension  come  upon 
you.  It  is  the  traveler  on  foot  who  has  the 
time  to  receive  and  reflect  upon  his  impressions 
and  at  the  same  time  pleasantly  rejuvenate  his 
body  and  mind. 

For  one  contemplating  a  long  twenty-five  mile 


32  TOURING  AFOOT 

or  so  hike  it  is  well  to  choose  a  route  where  it  is 
never  necessary  to  march  very  far  in  a  day  for 
lack  of  intervening  accommodations.  In  most 
of  our  country  this  is  easily  accomplished. 
The  annual  vacation  hike  can  be  well  spent  in 
one  of  our  National  Parks,  the  walkers'  para- 
dise. Here  the  pedestrian  can  start  from  one 
of  the  many  noted  tourist  centers  and  be  cer- 
tain of  accommodations  before  the  next  night's 
resting  place :  he  can  obtain  vistas  of  famous 
scenery  and  gain  a  storehouse  of  pleasant  mem- 
ories which  fully  discount  any  hardship  he  may 
have  experienced  on  the  trail. 

To  accomplish  a  hike  in  the  most  approved 
form  the  arrangement  of  meals  and  travel 
should  be  varied  somewhat  from  the  conven- 
tional customs.  A  fairly  early  morning  start 
should  be  made  with  but  two  meals  in  view  — 
a  ten  a.  m.  breakfast  and  a  five  p.  m.  supper 
with  perhaps  a  brief  midday  pause  and  a  pre- 
pared lunch.  This  gives  the  man  who  cooks 
his  own  meals  a  long  stretch  of  time  for  getting 
over  the  ground  without  the  worry  and  time  of 
cooking  a  noonday  repast. 

A  nine  to  ten  hour  sleep  is  none  too  little  for 
anyone  enjoying  the  healthful  outdoor  life,  in 
fact  the  increased  amount  of  sleep  that  one 
seems  to  require  is  one  of  the  upbuilding  fea- 


WALKING  WITH  A  PACK     33 

tures  of  such  a  trip  and  is  not  to  be  cut  short 
for  any  reason.  The  amount  of  sleep  needed 
is  of  course  subject  to  individual  peculiarities. 

In  real  hot  weather  start  at  daybreak  and  you 
can  get  in  a  half  day's  journey  by  the  time 
the  sun  is  hot.  Slow  down  at  the  heat  of  day 
and  hunt  a  shady  retreat.  On  such  days  drink 
but  little  water  and  have  it  pure.  One  will 
perspire  freely,  which  is  good,  for  this  is  Na- 
ture's way  of  cooling  the  body  by  evaporation : 
if  one  stops  sweating  there  is  real  danger  of 
heat  stroke. 

In  wilderness  travel  the  most  dependable 
guides  are  the  compass,  combining  with  the 
North  Star  by  night  or  the  sun  by  day.  Night 
travel  is  based  on  the  North  or  Polar  Star  as 
the  infallible  guide.  It  is  located  by  means  of 
the  big  dipper  which  should  be  known  to  every- 
one. The  two  stars  farthest  from  the  han- 
dle and  lowest  are  nearly  in  line  and  are  called 
the  "  pointers." 

Of  course,  if  the  sun  is  shining  you  will  have 
a  reliable  guide  to  direction,  depending  on  the 
time  of  day. 

The  seasoned  woods  traveler  goes  prin- 
cipally by  direction  and  he  has  developed  to  a 
higher  or  lesser  degree  the  "  bump  "  of  locality 
or  instinct  of  direction  developed  by  his  trained 


34 

close  observation.  He  gets  the  lay  of  the  land, 
noting  little  things  which  are  unusual,  such  as 
rocks,  trees,  sounds,  course  of  stream  flow, 
flora  and  fauna  of  the  country  and  then  he  trav- 
els north,  east,  south  and  west  of  some  special 
landmark,  as  a  river,  mountain,  lake,  etc.  The 
use  of  the  compass,  North  Star,  etc.,  is  much 
preferable  to  travel  by  landmarks,  for  north  is 
always  north  whereas  two  landmarks  may  look 
alike  and  hence  bewildering.  If  you  expect  to 
retrace  your  steps  you  should  look  frequently 
backward  and  impress  the  salient  features  of 
the  landscape  on  your  memory  such  as  a  cliff 
here,  a  distorted  tree  there,  and  the  like. 

In  such  a  region,  too,  one  should  blaze  the 
trail  by  chipping  the  bark  off  trees  at  intervals 
along  the  way  and  on  both  sides  of  the  tree  if 
one  is  to  retrace  the  route.  In  a  country  cov- 
ered by  bushes  blaze  the  trail  by  bending  over 
a  green  bush  in  the  direction  in  which  you  are 
going,  snapping  the  stem  or  chopping  it  with 
an  axe :  the  top  pointing  away  from  the  trail. 
The  underside  of  the  leaves  being  of  lighter 
shade  than  the  upper  marks  such  a  sign  con- 
spicuously in  the  wilderness. 

If  you  intend  to  hunt  in  unfamiliar  territory 
where  you  must  depend  on  your  compass  to 
get  you  out,  a  map  showing  the  topography  of 


WALKING  WITH  A  PACK     35 

the  land  is  of  great  benefit.  These  quad- 
rangles can  be  secured  at  the  State  Land  Office, 
county  seat  or  at  the  United  States  Land  Of- 
fice, the  Post  Office  Department  or  of  the 
United  States  Geological  Survey,  Washington. 
They  are  compiled  from  the  field  notes  of 
surveyors  and  they  indicate  the  location 
of  streams,  lakes,  roads,  mountain  ranges, 
swamps,  etc. 


CHAPTER  IV, 

MAP   READING 

A  KNOWLEDGE  of  the  rudiments  of 
map  reading  is  essential  to  the 
camper  who  has  occasion  to  travel 
into  wilderness  haunts.  He  should  have  a 
clear  mental  conception  of  the  ground  to  be 
covered  and  the  map  furnishes  this  —  the  cor- 
responding distances,  the  net  work  of  streams, 
roads  and  trails,  and  the  elevations  and  slopes. 
The  starting  points  for  all  surveys  are  the 
five  principal  meridians  which  run  north  and 
south.  The  range  of  the  townships  are  num- 
bered on  this  line  east  and  west  and  all  re- 
liable maps  have  the  base  lines  and  meridians 
indicated.  The  townships  are  further  divided 
into  thirty-six  sections  of  six  hundred  and  forty 
acres  each  and  each  section  measures  one  mile 
square  making  a  total  section  measurement  of 
six  miles  square.  The  corners  of  all  sections 
are  marked  in  the  field  as  follows :  —  In  the 
open  country  mounds  are  placed  by  the  govern- 
ment surveyors  and  surrounded  by  four  pits  — 

36 


MAP  READING  37 

one  pit  on  each  section  of  land.  Within  this 
mound  will  be  found  a  stone  with  as  many 
notches  cut  on  the  east  and  west  side  as  it  is 
miles  to  the  township  line.  In  timbered  re- 
gions instead  of  a  stone  marker  the  intersec- 
tions of  the  section  lines  are  marked  by  a  stake 
and  the  four  sides  facing  the  sections  are 
blazed  and  the  data  of  sections,  township  and 
range  marked  and  notched  the  same  as  on  the 
stone  markers.  Midway  between  the  half  sec- 
tion intersections  the  markers  will  have  but  two 
pits  —  one  on  either  side  and  representing  the 
quarter  sections  and  marked  1-4-8-. 

The  United  States  Geological  Survey  topo- 
graphic atlas  sheets  are  the  standard  and  are 
designated  by  the  name  of  the  principal  town 
or  of  some  prominent  natural  feature  within 
its  boundary.  The  names  of  the  adjoining 
published  sheets  are  printed  on  the  margins. 
They  are  the  base  maps  on  which  the  geology 
and  mineral  resources  of  a  quadrangle  are  rep- 
resented. Of  these  the  hiker  is  likely  not  in- 
terested but  the  map  to  him  is  invaluable  be- 
cause of  the  following:  it  represents  to  him:  — 

i.  The  distances  which  are  shown  by  a  scale 
based  on  a  fractional  proportion  between  the 
land  area  and  the  map  area.  The  scale  most 
used  for  thickly  settled  or  industrially  impor- 


38  TOURING  AFOOT 

tant  parts  of  the  country  is  one  linear  mile  to 
one  linear  inch,  the  proportion  of  which  is 
1 163,360  and  the  map  represents  a  ground  area 
of  15'  of  latitude  by  i'  of  longitude.  The  map 
used  for  the  greater  part  of  the  country  covers 
an  area  of  30'  of  latitude  by  30'  of  longitude 
with  a  scale  of  two  miles  to  the  inch  or  a  pro- 
portion of  1:125,000.  In  the  desert  regions 
of  the  far  west  the  map  covers  more  territory 
hence  the  proportion  is  greater,  1 1250,000.  It 
covers  an  area  of  i°  of  latitude  by  i°  of  longi- 
tude with  a  scale  of  four  miles  to  an  inch. 

2.  On  the  map  will  be  found  brown  contour 
lines  which  are  arbitrary  lines  passing  through 
points  of  like  altitude,  thus  each  represents  but 
one  level,  such  as  the  shore  line  at  the  sea  side, 
and  the  map  presents  all  the  eccentric  meander- 
ings  of  the  latter.  Every  few  feet  in  eleva- 
tion above  sea  level  or  depression  below  sea 
level  is  represented  by  a  contour  line  and  the 
contour  interval  or  vertical  distance  between 
lines  is  stated  at  the  bottom  of  the  map.  This 
varies  from  five  feet  on  comparatively  level 
country  to  200  feet  in  the  mountains.  Usually 
on  about  every  fifth  line  appears  the  exact  ele- 
vation of  that  point  above  sea  level.  Contour 
lines  close  together  indicate  sudden  rise  or  fall 
of  ground  and  when  these  lines  are  far  apart 


MAP  READING  39 

a  more  gentle  slope.  Where  they  bend 
abruptly  inward  they  represent  a  valley. 

From  the  contour  lines  we  get  the  relative 
height  of  the  hills  and  depth  of  valleys,  and 
whether  they  are  concave  or  convex  and  thus 
they  give  the  data  of  the  relief  or  profile  of  the 
land  —  the  mountains,  hills  and  valleys. 

3.  Aside  from  presenting  to  us  the  distances 
of  a  region  and  the  relief  data  represented  by 
the  contours  which  are  printed  in  brown  the 
topographic  map  pictures  the  water  (sea,  lakes, 
rivers  and  streams)  printed  in  blue  and  the  cul- 
tural works  of  man  printed  in  black.  The  fea- 
tures are  all  indicated  by  conventional  signs,  a 
key  to  which  usually  is  printed  on  the  back  of 
the  map. 

In  reading  a  map  you  first  direct  the  upper 
edge  to  the  north  by  the  aid  of  the  compass  or, 
if  the  sun  shines,  by  the  aid  of  a  watch.  Next 
you  locate  the  camp  in  relation  to  prominent 
landmarks,  trails,  roads,  streams  and  contours. 
Then  as  you  travel  you  note  the  configuration 
of  the  ground,  the  general  direction,  and  the 
landmarks.  If  the  general  course  of  the  trail 
is  south  and  west  and  you  are  to  detour  north 
of  it  you  will  only  have  to  run  south  to  get 
back  to  your  base  line  or  camp.  If  your  course 
varies  to  the  east  or  north  it  will  be  necessary 


40  TOURING  AFOOT 

to  make  the  same  distance  west  or  south  to  get 
back  to  your  starting  point. 

After  a  little  practice  in  map  reading  one  be- 
comes proficient  and  he  will  be  able  if  in  un- 
surveyed  territory  to  make  his  own  map.  Get 
the  compass  directions  from  the  camp  of  every 
prominent  landmark  with  particular  attention 
to  streams  and  the  ridges  separating  them.  If 
one  is  out  exploring  it  is  a  good  idea  to  climb 
to  the  summit  of  some  bare  faced  promontory 
and  there  study  the  topography  of  the  coun- 
try :  —  the  location  of  the  lakes,  swamps, 
whither  the  streams  run,  the  number  and  di- 
rection of  the  ridges,  etc.  The  mental  map 
thus  made  will  be  vastly  useful  later  on. 

In  traveling  over  hilly  or  mountainous  coun- 
try follow  the  courses  at  the  heights  of  land. 
It  shortens  the  way  for  if  the  streams  are  fol- 
lowed one  may  have  to  cross  many  tributaries 
and  make  long  detours. 

THE  COMPASS  AND  ITS  USES 

For  the  average  woods  hiker  a  compass  is  a 
necessity  in  laying  out  the  course,  of  travel. 
Men  whose  business  keeps  them  in  the  wilder- 
ness seldom  carry  the  instruments  but  in  them 
is  developed  to  a  high  degree  the  bump  of  lo- 
cality—  that  instinct  that  points  the  way  — 


MAP  READING  41 

coupled  with  trained  observation  of  land  signs 
along  the  trail. 

Consult  the  compass  often,  otherwise  you 
may  swing  so  far  from  your  course  in  going 
only  a  short  distance  that  you  will  be  inclined 
to  doubt  its  accuracy.  In  choosing  a  compass 
one  need  not  go  beyond  the  price  of  two  dol- 
lars for  a  serviceable  and  accurate  instrument. 
The  size  is  not  so  important,  a  $4  to  i  y2  inch 
dial  is  large  enough  for  sportsmen.  The 
needle  or  pointer  should  have  an  agate  bear- 
ing or  jewel  firmly  set  in  the  brass  cap  and  to 
be  accurately  balanced  on  the  fine  tempered  or 
pointed  pivot.  It  is  very  important  to  have 
the  box  water-proofed  else  the  needle  will 
stick. 

The  principle  in  use  comprehends  the  pres- 
ence of  a  theoretical  magnetic  North  Pole  lo- 
cated northwest  of  Hudson's  Bay  which  attracts 
the  blue  end  of  the  compass  needle  from  all 
parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere  causing  it  to 
point  in  that  direction.  Should  one  wish  to  lay 
a  fairly  accurate  course,  have  both  hands  at 
liberty,  hold  the  compass  in  both  hands  at  half 
arm's  length  from  body  with  elbows  resting 
against  your  sides  so  as  to  bring  the  compass  in 
direct  line  with  the  center  of  your  body.  To 
settle  the  needle  quickly  tip  the  compass  until 


42  TOURING  AFOOT 

the  end  of  the  needle  touches  the  glass  to  check 
the  vibrations.  Repeat  this  quickly  two  or 
three  times  as  needle  passes  the  center  of  the 
arc  it  is  making.  Then  carefully  level  the  box 
to  stop  the  needle  from  vibrating.  When  the 
needle  swings  free  and  finally  stops  the  com- 
pass can  be  easily  turned  until  the  letter  N  is 
under  the  blue  end  of  the  needle  and  then  one 
has  all  parts  of  direction.  It  is  well  to  remem- 
ber that  the  needle  is  affected  by  proximity  to 
iron  and  steel. 

Remember,  when  reading  your  map  that  the 
meridian  marked  thereon  is  the  true  north. 
Your  compass,  as  just  explained,  points  to  the 
magnetic  north.  Therefore,  you  will  have  to 
apply  a  correction  to  your  compass  reading,  the 
amount  necessary  varying  as  you  go  east  or 
west  of  a  line  which  passes,  approximately, 
from  Mackinac  Island,  in  Lake  Michigan,  to 
Savannah,  Georgia.  The  further  east  you  are 
of  this  line  the  more  the  north  end  of  your 
needle  will  point  west  of  north;  the  further  west 
you  are  of  this  line  the  more  your  needle  will 
point  east  of  north,  the  amount  of  the  deviation 
amounting  to  one  minute  west  for  each  mile 
east  of  this  line  (or  i°  for  each  60  miles)  and 
one  minute  east  for  each  mile  west  of  this  line. 


MAP  READING  43 

WHAT  TO  DO  WHEN  LOST 

The  catastrophe  of  getting  lost  besets  almost 
every  lone  woods  traveler  sooner  or  later  and 
frequently  results  in  a  panic  as  deadly  as  that 
which  drowns  good  swimmers.  Even  trained 
woodsmen  sometimes  get  "  turned  around  "  but 
they  usually  find  their  bearings  soon  because  of 
the  general  knowledge  of  the  country  and  the 
main  landmarks,  shapes  and  heights  of  moun- 
tains, the  trend  of  the  ridges,  the  prevailing 
winds,  the  general  direction  and  ultimate  outlet 
of  the  streams,  etc.  The  danger  of  getting 
lost  is  further  offset  by  a  proper  knowledge  of 
taking  one's  bearings,  by  range  finding,  by  the 
knack  of  traveling  by  direction  and  by  correct 
compass  reading. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  cause  of  one's  being 
lost  after  separation  from  party  is  that  during 
ensemble  travel  the  leader  is  the  only  one  who 
sees  the  landmarks.  Upon  leaving  the  camp 
place  or  headquarter's  point  one  should  note  the 
landscape  and  know  absolutely  the  direction  he 
is  taking,  otherwise  his  compass  will  be  of  lit- 
tle value  even  though  he  can  see  the  sun  and 
knows  that  if,  he  points  the  hour  hand  of  his 
watch  to  it,  half  way  between  that  point  and 
twelve  o'clock  he  is  directed  south. 


44  TOURING  AFOOT 

A  lost  man  has  a  tendency  to  travel  in  a 
circle  which  is  explained  by  some  as  being  due 
to  the  fact  that  most  men  step  farther  with  one 
foot  than  with  the  other.  It  can  be  avoided 
by  selecting  some  distant  object,  walking 
straight  to  it,  picking  out  another  in  the  same 
line  of  travel  and  continuing  to  do  this  until 
one  has  arrived  somewhere.  One  has  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  that  he  will  not  find  him- 
self at  the  place  he  started  from  a  short  time 
previously.  The  compass  then  is  invaluable 
and  its  directions  must  under  no  circumstances 
be  questioned. 

To  further  prevent  the  possibility  of  losing 
one's  self  he  should  blaze  the  trail  as  he  tries 
to  travel  out  and  keep  straight  with  the  com- 
pass if  there  is  no  sun,  moon  or  stars  to  act  as 
guides.  One  cannot  depend  much  on  Nature's 
signs  such  as  the  preponderance  of  tree  limbs 
on  the  south  side,  moss  on  the  north  side,  etc. 
In  a  country  that  has  been  lumbered  over  old 
trails  and  woods  roads  should  be  followed  down 
hill  as  the  lowlands  and  water  courses  are  the 
invariable  destination  of  logs  and  these  old 
trails  and  tote  roads  usually  guide  the  traveler 
to  some  lumber  camp  or  clearing  from  which  a 
well  defined  road  is  apt  to  lead.  As  a  last  re- 
sort strike  running  water  and  follow  it  tena- 


MAP  READING  45 

ciously.  In  it  and  along  its  shore  the  wan- 
derer may  perchance  find  food,  he  may  pos- 
sibly launch  a  raft  upon  it  and  he  certainly 
will  not  die  of  thirst. 

If  you  find  yourself  hopelessly  lost  the  first 
thing  to  do  is  to  keep  cool  and  avoid  panic  for 
the  greatest  danger  is  fear  which  robs  one  of 
his  judgment.  If  you  are  near  a  party  and  have 
a  gun  shoot  twice  in  succession  repeating  after 
long  waits.1  Smoke  distress  signals  are  made 
by  starting  two  green  stuff  fires  about  fifty  feet 
apart.  Get  on  a  high  point  for  a  lookout. 

The  back  pack  man  is  in  no  immediate  dan- 
ger so  long  as  his  outfit  is  with  him  but  let  it 
be  separated  from  him  by  mishap  in  a  strange 
country  and  his  woodcraft  ingenuity  will  be 
taxed.  If  night  draws  close  build  a  little  bivo- 
uac fire  and  camp  before  dark,  make  yourself 
comfortable,  get  in  plenty  of  fresh  wood  to 
keep  up  the  fire  all  night,  build  a  wind  screen 
on  three  sides  of  fallen  logs,  brush  and  browse, 
and  if  possible  lay  something  on  the  bare 
ground  to  keep  you  off  the  dirt. 

One  should  make  it  a  rule  never  to  leave  the 

1  The  signal  varies  with  the  locality.  In  some  sections  it 
is  one  shot,  then  a  pause,  and  then  two  shots  in  quick  suc- 
cession; in  other  localities  it  is  two  shots  in  quick  suc- 
cession, then  a  pause,  and  then  a  single  shot.  Ascertain  what 
the  distress  signal  in  any  locality  is  before  venturing  into  the 
wilderness. 


46  TOURING  AFOOT 

camp  without  taking  a  small  emergency  bag 
along  which  would  greatly  assist  in  case  of  get- 
ting lost.  It  should  contain  a  compass,  maps, 
First  Aid  packet,  match  box,  fish  line  and 
hooks,  emergency  ration  and  a  knife. 


CHAPTER  V 

PACKS   AND   PACKING 

BACK  packing  of  the  wilderness  adven- 
turer's outfit  is  one  of  the  necessary 
evils  to  be  endured  for  the  privilege 
of  enjoying  the  freedom  of  travel  and  the  peace 
and  quietude  of  cheerful  camps  in  the  untracked 
solitudes  of  the  great  outdoors.  Truly  its 
trials  and  tribulations  are  many,  yet  when  fully 
mastered  and  one  becomes  an  adept  in  cruising 
methods  it  spells  absolute  independence  of 
everything  except  food  supplies.  Packing  at 
best  is  a  hard  plod  but  it  is  to  be  remembered 
that  there  is  a  certain  pleasure  in  even  the 
roughest  experience  and  that  in  after  years  only 
the  pleasant  things  remain  in  reminiscence. 

Much  may  be  spared  in  the  way  of  trouble 
and  discomfort  in  woods  travel  by  the  selection 
of  a  correctly  designed  and  properly  hung  pack 
carrier.  Next  to  being  properly  shod  the  pos- 
session of  a  suitable  rig  for  carrying  the  outfit 
from  place  to  place  is  the  most  indispensable 
requisite  for  the  hiker.  The  most  common  and 
47 


48  TOURING  AFOOT 

satisfactory  article  for  this  use  is  to  be  found 
among  the  array  of  tump  lines,  pack  sacks  or 
baskets,  and  pack  harnesses,  each  designed  for 
a  purpose  good  for  use  in  its  particular  field 
and  very  little  elsewhere. 

This  choice  in  turn  depends  largely  upon  the 
weight  of  outfit  to  be  carried  which  of  course 
should  be  kept  down  to  absolutely  essential 
limits  and  within  the  personal  physical  capa- 
bilities of  endurance.  Tasks  within  one's 
strength  are  pleasing  or  at  least  tolerable: 
those  beyond  that  strength  are  punishment. 

The  tramper's  pack,  inclusive  of  a  ten  days 
supply  of  provisions,  need  not  weigh  over 
thirty-five  pounds.  (The  seasoned  woods  trav- 
eler will  start  with  eighty  pounds.)  Any  ad- 
ditional weight  of  grub  will  be  directly  propor- 
tional to  the  time  one  is  to  be  out.  It  is  al- 
ways advisable  for  two  persons  to  go  together 
on  such  a  trip  for  they  can  share  the  shelter, 
use  the  same  cooking  utensils  and  certain  other 
nonconsumable  items. 

It  is  a  fact  unbelievable  to  the  tenderfoot,  yet 
readily  attested  by  the  experienced,  that  at  the 
beginning  the  carrying  of  a  thirty-five  pound 
pack  is  entirely  feasible  for  the  average  man 
and  at  the  end  of  several  weeks  one  can  carry 
many  more  pounds  with  some  ease.  On  a 


PACKS  AND  PACKING         49 

short  portage  trip  with  canoe  relief  ahead  a 
pack  of  one  hundred  pounds  is  conveniently 
transported  on  one's  back.  The  footman,  how- 
ever, must  be  carrying  all  the  time  and  the  be- 
ginner will  find  a  thirty-five  pound  pack  a  suf- 
ficiently heavy  burden.  This  must  include 
shelter,  mess  kit,  bed  and  a  week's  supply  of 
provisions.  It  is  well  to  keep  in  mind  that  the 
pack  lightens  some  each  day  as  the  provisions 
are  used  up. 

The  various  pack  carriers  are  so  arranged 
that  the  weight  is  suspended  either  from  the 
head  of  the  woodsman,  from  his  shoulder  or  by 
a  combination  of  the  two  methods.  It  is  to 
many  a  surprising  statement  that  a  much  heav- 
ier load  can  be  carried  suspended  by  straps 
over  the  head  than  from  the  shoulders.  This 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  one  is  thus  enabled  to 
utilize  the  powerful  muscles  of  the  neck. 
These  muscles  are  generally  poorly  developed 
in  the  novice  and  this,  together  with  the  much 
better  known  method  of  shoulder  suspension 
packing,  is  doubtless  the  excuse  for  the  latter's 
popularity  among  other  than  experienced  woods 
travelers. 

The  Indian-tump  line  or  head  strap  is  the 
pack  carrier  par  excellence  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  heavy  loads.  Such  a  load  hangs  en- 


50  TOURING  AFOOT 

tirely  from  the  head  of  the  carrier  and  not 
from  the  shoulders.  It  consists  of  a  head  band 
of  rather  stiff  leather  about  two  and  a  half 
inches  in  width  by  two  feet  in  length.  To  each 
end  of  this  is  attached  a  strap  or  thong  of  simi- 
lar kind  of  leather  eight  to  ten  feet  long  but 
only  an  inch  in  width  tapering  to  a  still  lesser 
width  at  the  ends  and  fixed  to  the  head  band  by 
buckles. 

To  make  up  the  tump  line  pack  proceed  as 
follows :  —  the  blanket  or  shelter  cloth  is 
spread  out  and  the  thongs  laid  lengthwise  about 
a  foot  from  either  edge  —  the  blanket  is  then 
folded  inward  and  across  the  thongs.  The 
items  to  be  carried  are  then  laid  on  the  end  of 
the  blanket  well  up  toward  the  head  piece. 
The  other  end  of  the  blanket,  from  the  folds 
of  which  the  thong  ends  are  protruding,  is 
pulled  taut,  tied  together  and  passed  around  the 
middle  of  the  pack.  The  knack  of  comfortable 
tump  line  carrying,  once  the  neck  muscles  are 
developed  and  hardened,  is  in  properly  balanc- 
ing the  pack. 

The  load  is  lifted  to  the  back,  the  strap  pass- 
ing across  the  head  high  up  on  the  forehead 
and  not  on  top  of  the  head  as  might  be  sup- 
posed. The  load  must  properly  fall  in  position 
on  the  back  or  discomfort  will  certainly  result 


PACKS  AND  PACKING        51 

with  a  corresponding  decrease  of  carrying  abil- 
ity. It  should  fit  well  in  the  small  of  the  back, 
just  above  the  hips.  The  method  is  very  tire- 
some to  the  unitiated  because  of  the  strain  on 
the  neck  and  head  but  one  soon  becomes  accus- 
tomed to  it. 

The  tump  line  or  head  strap  is  the  one  to  use 
if  the  pack  amounts  to  much  above  thirty 
pounds.  Indians  are  thus  able  to  carry  loads 
of  several  hundred  pounds  on  short  portages 
but  when  the  outfit  can  be  arranged  into  several 
seventy  pound  packs  the  woodsman  prefers  to 
thus  break  it  up  and  make  several  trips.  With 
the  tump  line  one  can  carry  goods  of  most  any 
bulk  and  shape.  The  strap  has  many  other 
uses  about  camp. 

The  pack  carriers  which  are  suspended  from 
the  shoulders  are  fitted  with  loops  through 
which  the  arms  are  thrust  and  which  are  con- 
nected behind  to  the  load  with  either  a  set  of 
harness  intended  to  be  buckled  around  any  sort 
of  camp  duffle  or  riveted  and  sewn  to  a  sack 
or  basket.  Fifty  pounds  is  about  the  limit  of 
the  pack  which  one  with  experience  can  com- 
fortably carry  suspended  from  the  shoulders. 
Breast  straps  are  required  for  use  with  all  types 
of  shoulder  harness  to  fasten  the  arm  loops  to- 
gether in  front  or  they  promptly  slip  off.  In 


TOURING  AFOOT 


case  of  accident  in  the  water  they  are  disen- 
gaged with  difficulty. 

One  caution  is  necessary  in  selecting  this 
type  of  packing  apparatus.  The  shoulder 
straps  must  lead  from  a 
common  center  near  the 
front  and  top  of  the  pack 
and  they  may  then  attach 
as  usual  to  each  lower  cor- 
ner. The  advantage  in 
this  single  point  suspension 
is  this  —  if  the  straps  hug 
close  to  the  neck  of  the 
packer  there  is  not  the  down 
drag  or  tire  which  would 
be  the  case  were  the  straps 
nearer  the  points  of  the 
shoulders. 

The  pack  harness  is  good 
for  transporting  an  outfit 
provided  one  does  not  have 
to  open  the  pack  on  the  trail 
PACK  HARNESS  much  —  a  procedure  tak- 
ing up  too  much  time.  In  making  up  such  a 
pack  the  blanket  and  shelter  are  made  into  a 
compact  elongated  bundle.  The  loose  articles 
of  camp  duffle,  mess  kit,  food  bags,  and  extras 
are  shoved  into  a  specially  made  sack  of  light 


PACKS  AND  PACKING        53 

waterproof  stuff  of  say  twelve  by  thirty-six 
inch  dimensions  and  with  a  tight  fitting  top. 
The  two  bundles  are  placed  side  by  side  and 
the  pack  straps  secured  about  them.  The  pack 
harness  with  the  tump  line  combination  is  the 
best  style  to  use  if  one  prefers  not  to  use  one 
of  the  pack  sacks. 

The  pack  basket  of  wicker  can  be  at  once 
eliminated  as  it  is  too  clumsy  and  bulky  for  our 
purpose  and  further  it  is  not  waterproof.  It 
however  fits  very  nicely  into  lithographs  of  sup- 
posedly ideal  camp  scenes.  Being  nonexpand- 
able  it  limits  the  bulk  of  outfit.  It  is  neverthe- 
less popular  with  a  certain  class  of  New  Eng- 
land outdoor  men. 

THE  BELMORE  BROWNE  PACK 
STRAP 

An  ingenious  packing  apparatus  has  been  per- 
fected by  Belmore  Browne  of  the  Parker- 
Browne  Mt.  McKinley  Expedition  of  1910. 
It  consists  of  a  padded  canvas  yoke  which  fits 
over  the  breast  and  shoulders  of  the  wearer  and 
the  yoke  ends  connect  by  small  stout  ropes  to 
the  pack  much  the  same  as  with  a  regulation 
tump  line.  The  size  of  the  pack  regulates  the 
length  of  the  lash  rope. 

This  pack  strap  is  made  very  simply  after 


TOURING  AFOOT 


PACKS  AND  PACKING        55 

the  accompanying  diagram.  The  length  of  the 
breast  strap  depends  upon  the  breadth  of  the 
chest  of  the  wearer.  It  is  composed  of  a  piece 
of  ten  tounce  canvas  of  say  twelve  inch  length 
and  eight  inches  wide  which  is  folded  length- 
wise making  it  twelve  by  four  inches  and  is 
padded  by  felt  or  cotton.  To  either  end  of 
this  is  attached  the  shoulder  straps  consisting  of 
double  thicknesses  of  ten  ounce  canvas  thirty- 
six  by  six  inches  and  folded  lengthwise  and  cut 
to  taper  from  the  yoke  end.  To  its  smaller 
end  is  attached  a  small  stout  rope  of  the  length 
desired  for  the  pack  you  will  carry.  The  first 
twelve  inches  of  the  shoulder  straps  only  are 
padded.  The  rope  is  lashed  about  the  pack 
and  the  loose  ends  B  and  D  are  secured  in  the 
holes  A  and  C  near  the  arm  pits. 

To  enable  one  to  use  the  neck  muscles  also 
in  addition  to  the  shoulder  straps  a  head  strap 
is  used.  This  is  simply  a  double  piece  of  ten 
ounce  canvas  two  inches  by  twelve  inches  at 
whose  ends  are  tied  ropes  which  are  attached 
to  the  pack.  Browne  has  carried  with  this  rig 
100  pounds  all  day  for  several  days  at  a  time. 

Various  styles  of  pack  sacks  are  extant.  The 
foreign  sportsman  has  what  he  calls  a  rucksack 
which  means  a  "  back  sack  "  and  which  is  a  tri- 
angular shaped  affair  usually  of  waterproofed 


56  TOURING  AFOOT 

materials  which  he  hangs  over  his  back  by  two 
straps  passing  up  across  the  shoulders.  The 
top  is  the  puckered  end  of  the  sack  and  reaches 
up  close  to  the  neck,  the  flared  out  bottom  hangs 
down  to  about  the  small  of  the  back.  It  is 
sometimes  fitted  with  pockets.  It  is  very  good 
for  country  road  tours  or  for  foreign  sight-see- 
ing trips  where  the  items  carried  cover  some 
such  list  as  a  noon  day  lunch,  a  raincoat,  a 
change  of  underwear,  photo  films,  notebook  and 
guide  book,  but  it  is  unsuitable  for  heavy  weight 
work  on  the  wilderness  cruise. 

The  haversack  or  knapsack  slung  by  a  strap 
from  one  shoulder  is  out  of  date  and  never 
measured  up  to  the  requirements  for  use  in 
heavy  packing.  It  is  handy  for  lunches  or  as  a 
ditty  or  emergency  kit  bag.  The  best  pack  sack 
was  originated  and  put  out  by  one  Poirier  of  Du- 
luth  some  twenty-five  years  ago  and  was  orig- 
inally really  the  whiteman's  improvement  of  the 
Indian  tump  line  and  pack  cloth,  ingeniously 
folded  and  tied  so  as  to  serve  as  a  sack  with 
suspension  harness.  As  listed  today  by  most 
outfitting  firms  it  consists  of  a  sack  with  shoul- 
der straps  and  head  suspension.  It  is  a  very 
desirable  article  from  the  point  of  view  of  the 
wilderness  voyageur  as  he  is  enabled  to  ease  up 
different  sets  of  muscles  while  on  the  hike  and 


PACKS  AND  PACKING 


57 


BACK. 


DULUTH  PACKSACK 
Illustrating  head-band  and  single 
point    suspension    for    shoulder 
straps 


Diagram  for 
making 
packsack  at 
home.  Fold 
along  the 
lines. 


58  TOURING  AFOOT 

in  handling  a  heavy  pack  the  combined  use  of 
the  neck  and  shoulder  muscles  are  brought  into 
play. 

This  pack  goes  under  the  name  of  the  Du- 
luth,  Poirier,  Woodsman  or  Northwestern 
Pack  and  with  slight  modifications  is  listed 
under  other  names  by  various  dealers  in  camp 
supplies.  The  genuine,  however,  consists  of  a 
simple  flat  bag  of  dimensions  twenty-eight  by 
thirty  inches  with  adjustable  shoulder  and  head 
straps.  It  has  a  large  top  flap  with  three  long 
straps  to  hold  it  down  thus  enabling  one  to  ad- 
just it  to  a  large  or  small  pack.  The  following 
features  are  to  be  insisted  upon  —  get  the 
straps  broad  and  soft  and  see  to  it  that  the 
connections  are  both  sewed  and  riveted.  The 
Poirier  pack  is  much  used  on  the  Canadian  bor- 
der and  is  easily  procurable  or  it  can  be  made 
at  home. 

All  things  considered  and  especially  in  view 
of  the  ignorance  of  the  average  man  as  to  how 
to  adjust  his  pack  straps  properly  the  Woods- 
mans  or  Poirier  is  the  best. 

In  its  position  on  the  back  the  pack  should 
be  carried  low  so  the  bulge  fits  the  hollow  of 
the  back.  If  too  high  there  is  too  much  back- 
ward strain  on  the  head  and  shoulders :  if  it  is 


PACKS  AND  PACKING        59 

too  low  it  interferes  with  the  gait.  One  can 
ease  up  the  impact  of  a  pack  by  letting  the  knees 
give  a  little  with  each  step.  In  the  case  of 
heavy  loads  or  a  weak  neck  the  strain  can  occa- 
sionally be  relieved  by  clasping  the  hands  be- 
hind the  head  or  by  slipping  the  straps  from 
the  forehead  to  the  top  of  the  head  and  grasp- 
ing it  with  both  hands  about  "  ear  high  "  so  as 
to  get  a  straight  pull  downward  instead  of 
backward. 

CONTENTS  OF  THE  PACK 

With  a  properly  chosen  pack  a  man  can  com- 
fortably carry  on  his  back  all  that  is  needed  for 
a  two  weeks'  stay  in  the  wilderness,  inclusive  of 
shelter,  bed,  cook  kit,  simple  first  aid  requisites 
and  the  necessary  provisions.  Besides  these 
the  pack  must  carry  miscellaneous  items  of  duf- 
fle as  follows : 

Extra  clothing  may  be  very  meager  indeed. 
A  gray  all  wool  sweater  for  protection  against 
cold,  mainly  at  night  or  to  be  worn  when  wash- 
ing the  shirt,  and  two  pairs  of  heavy  all  wool 
socks  are  all  that  one  needs.  In  the  way  of 
toilet  articles  include  a  tooth  brush  and  a  tube 
of  paste  and  two  brown  crash  towels  for  the 
daily  rub  down.  A  bar  of  wool  soap  suffices 


60  TOURING  AFOOT 

for  toilet  and  laundry  purposes.  The  map 
mounted  on  cloth  should  be  encased  in  a  water- 
proof envelope. 

Provide  a  repair  kit  consisting  of  a  few  items 
for  simple  mending  —  a  spool  of  stout  linen 
thread  No.  12,  with  suitable  needles,  a  few 
rivets,  safety  pins,  some  waxed  harness  thread, 
needles  and  a  light  awl. 

A  good  axe  is  almost  indispensable.  Al- 
though an  experienced  camper  may  learn  to  get 
along  well  no  matter  what  is  lacking,  without 
an  axe  he  is  seriously  handicapped  for  food, 
warmth  and  camp  making  and  often  protection 
from  beasts  and  insects  depend  on  the  axe  and 
the  fire  it  makes  possible.  A  gun  may  be  dis- 
pensed with  but  never  the  axe.  Don't  try  to 
economize  too  much  in  its  weight.  For  aver- 
age trips  and  moderately  cold  nights  a  light 
belt  axe  of  say  one  and  one-fourth  pound  head 
is  about  right.  It  should  have  a  long  helve 
and  it  will  then  give  greater  power  than  a  heavy 
one  with  a  short  helve.  Pocket  axes  are  not 
advisable. 

If  the  nights  are  cold  and  you  have  to  keep 
up  an  all  night  fire  in  front  of  the  leanto,  an 
hour's  work  will  enable  you  to  spend  the  night 
fairly  comfortable.  You  will  need  a  large 
amount  of  good  dry  wood.  To  secure  this  the 


PACKS  AND  PACKING        61 

axe  had  better  be  a  well  tempered,  light  regu- 
lation chopping  axe  of  say  a  two  pound  head 
and  a  thirty  inch  handle.  Never  take  a  poor 
axe  into  the  wilderness  where  comfort  and  oft- 
times  life  depend  on  it.  Soft  tempered  edges 
bend  where  thin  and  if  tempered  too  hard  they 
will  break  in  frozen  wood  or  knots. 

A  small  whetstone  for  sharpening  must  be 
with  you.  The  combination  coarse  and  fine 
carborundum  sportsman  stone  is  handy.  A 
leather  sheath  will  help  to  protect  the  axe  edge 
from  becoming  dulled  and  the  outfit  from  being 
cut.  In  use  keep  the  axe  clear  of  overhead 
limbs  or  brush  which  might  turn  it.  Hold  it 
rigid  and  learn  to  hit  the  spot  aimed  at. 

The  inclusion  of  fishing  tackle  depends  on 
the  nature  of  the  locality  you  are  to  visit.  Fish 
make  an  agreeable  change  from  a  bacon,  bis- 
cuit and  tea  diet.  Take  a  few  hooks,  a  stout 
line,  flies  and  spoon  hooks  and  you  can  depend 
on  improvising  the  pole  where  used.  For  bait 
you  may  be  driven  to  bacon  fat,  frogs,  grass- 
hoppers or  grubs  from  an  old  rotten  log.  If 
the  prime  object  of  the  trip  is  for  fishing  pur- 
poses of  course  a  more  elaborate  equipment  is 
permissible.  You  really  won't  much  notice  the 
extra  weight  of  a  fish  rod. 

When  every  ounce  and  square  inch  of  duf- 


62  TOURING  AFOOT 

fel  have  to  be  debated  over  in  view  of  the  all 
important  question  of  food  supply  and  trans- 
portation facilities  the  addition  of  a  small  film 
camera  bears  few  objectionable  features.  In 
no  other  way  can  a  truthful  record  of  vacation 
scenes  be  preserved.  It  truthfully  portrays 
wild  life  in  native  habitat  and  is  a  great  stim- 
ulus to  personal  observation.  Almost  any  one 
can  push  the  button  and  run  a  good  chance  of 
getting  a  clean  cut  picture,  the  clever  thing  is 
to  amplify  the  camera's  working  with  one's 
good  sense  in  composing  the  picture.  In  wood- 
land views  when  the  sun  is  low  expose  to  get 
the  long  shadows.  In  wild  animal  work  get 
leeward  to  the  trails.  The  lighting  of  your 
subjects  should  always  come  from  behind  the 
camera.  Film  must  be  protected  from  mois- 
ture and  you  can  insure  this  in  no  way  better 
than  by  getting  the  kind  which  is  hermetically 
sealed  as  sold  for  tropical  use  and  obtainable 
from  the  makers  on  special  order. 


CHAPTER  VI 

FOOTWEAR 

THE  most  important  requisite  for  the 
pedestrian  is  mobility.  This  in  turn  de- 
pends upon  properly  conditioned  feet 
and  a  covering  permitting  the  greatest  ease  in 
action  and  freedom  from  injury.  So  important 
is  this  physical  item  in  the  case  of  any  one  who 
walks  that  it  may  be  taken  as  a  criterion  of 
one's  ability  to  cover  ground.  Granting  other 
things  equal,  the  successful  army  is  the  one 
which  marches  best;  hence  one  of  the  greatest 
military  problems  of  the  day  is  a  study  of  the« 
proper  care  and  housing  of  man's  pedal  ex- 
tremities. The  measure  of  efficiency  of  the 
draft  horse  on  icy  pavements,  of  northern 
Indian  packers  over  unbroken  woods  portages, 
and  of  the  amateur  pedestrianVinitial  hike  over 
interurban  roads  depends  essentially  upon  being 
properly  shod. 

In  a  study  of  the  foot  we  find  it  composed 
mostly  of  bones  and  that  their  movements  are 
managed  by  a  complex  arrangement  of  muscles, 

63 


TOURING  AFOOT 


in  nearly  every  case  by  several  sets  working  in 
unison.  Any  mechanical  displacement  of  one 
bone  throws  not  only  all  bones  out  of  harmon- 
ious working  order  but  also  disarranges  their 
accompanying  muscles  and  the  nerves  attached 
to  them,  resulting  in  inefficient  action  and  in 
radiating  pains.  The  fleshy  parts  of  the  foot 
are  at  the  sole,  ball,  on  the  bottom  of  the  heel 
and  along  the  outer  border  and  they  play  the 
part  of  protection  where  it  is  most  needed. 
The  bottom  flesh  forms  pads  in  walking  and 
supporting  the  body,  insuring  springiness  and 
lessening  the  jar  which  is  incidental  to  locomo- 
tion. Shoes  that  do  not 
fit  the  fleshy  parts  of 
the  foot  properly  cause 
friction  when  walking 
and  concomitant  aches 
and  pains. 

Nature  intended  man 
to  walk  with  bare  feet 
but    following   the   dic- 
tates of  necessity  as  his 
X-RAY  OP  FOOT         environment  demanded 
Properly   housed    in   form     f°Ot       Protection       and 
fitting  shoes  later  of  an  all  too  dom- 

inant dictate  of  fashion  he  took  to  wearing  foot 
covering.     Since     the     feet    do     an    immense 


FOOTWEAR  65 

amount  of  work  Nature  has  so  constructed 
them  that  they  will  adapt  themselves  to  many 
conditions.  It  is  our  duty  to  adjust  the  foot 
covering  to  assist  Nature  in  protecting  the  foot. 

Commonly  the  fitting  of  shoes  is  influenced 
by  a  consideration  of  fashion  and  style  and  not 
comfort,  with  a  resulting  condition  which  most 
people  cheerfully  accept,  thinking  that  by  so 
doing  their  feet  will  appear  small  and  neat  but 
really  causing  a  cramping  and  narrowing  of  the 
ball  and  toes,  with  possible  chafing,  blistering, 
callus  or  corns  —  conditions  incompatible  with 
walking  efficiency. 

The  physical  effects  of  ill  fitting  shoes  are 
unfortunately  evident  with  most  people  today. 
In  addition  if  one  is  not  properly  outfitted  on  a 
walking  trip  the  psychological  effect  is  also  bad, 
resulting  in  discomfort,  reduction  of  buoyancy 
of  spirit,  mental  irritability  and  diminished  trav- 
eling capacity.  He  becomes  an  object  of  pity, 
his  enjoyment  is  turned  to  grief  and  his  value 
as  a  pedestrian  is  in  a  certain  measure  de- 
stroyed. 

An  entire  reversion  of  shoe  fitting  ideas 
should  be  made  and  the  shoes  made  to  fit  the 
feet  instead  of  the  feet  to  fit  the  shoes.  The 
feet  are  not  to  be  carelessly  jammed  into  any 
sort  of  a  container.  A  good  shoe  cover  must 


66  TOURING  AFOOT 

protect  the  foot,  it  must  give  security  and  be 
comfortable  and  durable  without  changing  the 
foot  shape  in  any  way.  To  secure  these  things 
the  fitting  should  have  precedence  over  all  other 
conditions.  Properly  fitted  the  shoe  allows  the 
foot  to  take  practically  the  shape  it  would  if  it 
were  not  encased  in  a  shoe.  The  last  should 
be  straight  and  from  the  outset  do  not  regard 
the  sole  as  too  broad.  There  should  be  suf- 
ficient width  at  the  end  to  allow  the  toes  to  lay 
on  the  inner  sole  of  the  shoe  in  a  normal  posi- 
tion, for  when  the  weight  of  the  body  is  placed 
on  the  foot  the  toes  spread  apart  a  little.  Na- 
ture thus  demands  toe  room.  With  the  full 
weight  of  the  body  on  the  foot  the  toes  should 
be  able  to  wriggle  about  freely  in  a  shoe. 
Walking  causes  the  feet  to  lengthen  one-half 
inch  and  broaden  at  the  toe  one-half  inch. 
Provide  for  this  swelling  caused  by  the  flatten- 
ing of  the  arch  and  congestion  of  blood  in  the 
icxercised  region.  The  shoe  should  be  long 
enough  to  extend  well  forward  of  the  toes  — 
two-thirds  of  an  inch  longer  -than  the  longest 
measurement  of  the  naked  foot;  the  inner  sole 
border  should  be  straight,  broad  across  the  ball 
and  for  average  work  on  the  roads  need  not 
be  heavy  but  above  all  things  it  should  conform 
to  the  foot.  Have  the  heel  fit  snugly  but  across 


FOOTWEAR  67 

the  ball  or  front  of  the  foot  arch  no  compres- 
sion at  all. 

The  tendency  is  to  overdo  foot  covering, 
getting  the  shoes  too  heavy.  There  is  no  need 
of  lugging  around  extra  weight.  Aim  for  the 
minimum  in  leg  weariness.  Thick  soles  inter- 
fere with  the  leverage  action  of  the  big  toe. 
The  tramper  covers  territory  and  must  look  for 
ease,  flexibility  and  lightness  if  at  a  sacrifice  of 
the  durability  of  the  heavier  goods. 

The  proper  shoe  should  conform  to  the  fol- 
lowing specifications :  —  it  should  have  a  soft 
upper,  making  the  total  shoe  height  five  inches, 
there  should  be  no  lining  or  box  toe  cap,  the 
heels  should  be  broad  and  welted  and  only 
three  lifts  high,  the  sole  of  one  thickness.  The 
shoe  should  be  loose  enough  for  free  wriggling 
of  the  toes  within  and  permit  of  the  insertion 
of  a  cork  innersole  which  serves  as  a  kind  of 
cushion  for  the  tread  and  can  be  removed  at 
night  to  dry  out. 

The  shoe  is  the  product  of  civilization  and 
properly  chosen  is  preferable  for  pedestrianism 
in  the  city  and  on  country  roads.  Also  in. 
mountain  work  where  wear  is  excessive  and  one 
must  use  calks  or  hob  nails  for  security  the 
heavy  soled  light  uppered  ankle-high  shoe  is 
advisable.  Hobs  of  the  small  coneheaded 


68  TOURING  AFOOT 

Hungarian  variety  are  good  on  rough  rocky 
country  or  where  there  is  smooth  short  grass 
and  add  immensely  to  ease  and  comfort  and 
safety  in  walking  over  mountain  trails.  Use 
these  hobs  sparingly.  They  give  better  foot 
hold  and  greatly  save  the  sole  and  heel  from 
wear.  They  should  not  extend  through  the 
sole. 

For  wilderness  tramping  in  general  the  adop- 
tion of  an  entirely  different  sort  of  footwear 
is  advisable.  The  real  hikers  —  the  men  who 
make  it  a  business  of  going  on  long  trips  with 
back  packs  do  not  use  shoes.  They  wear  the 
lightest,  easiest  wearing  and  most  flexible  foot 
covering  they  can  get  —  the  moccasin.  The 
moosehide  moccasin  is  the  footwear  of  the 
Northwestern  Indian  who  is  the  most  tireless 
pedestrian  in  the  world.  Next  to  him  is  the 
Canadian  voyageur  with  his  oil  tan  shoe  packs. 
Were  the  heavy  soled  shoe  or  boot  the  more 
satisfactory  they  would  use  it  in  preference. 

The  moccasin  is  a  better  foot  covering  than 
one  would  think.  If  you  walk  a  few  hundred 
miles  in  moccasins,  on  your  return,  you  will  be 
surprised  at  your  carriage.  You  will  stand 
easier  and  not  sag  on  your  heels  in  the  clumsy 
attitude  of  the  city  man.  In  walking  with  moc- 
casins you  walk  with  all  your  feet,  you  don't 


FOOTWEAR  69 

have  a  great  foot  weight  to  lift  around  and  no 
binding  heel  or  sole  stiffness.  One  can  walk 
noiselessly  and  is  not  likely  to  slip  on  rocks  or 
logs.  Some  contend  that  the  average  city  man 
has  no  license  to  tackle  moccasins  at  least  on 
the  first  week  of  the  hike.  They  are  hard  on 
soft  footed  people  for  a  time  at  least  but  the 
feet  soon  become  accustomed  to  the  change. 

By  the  use  of  thick  wool  socks  the  foot  com- 
fort is  still  further  assured.  If  one  desires  he 
can  get  soled  moccasins  or  those  with  double 
bottom  to  prevent  seam  leaks,  the  outer  sewed 
to  the  welt  and  the  welt  sewed  to  the  sole. 

The  moccasin  is  absolutely  unequalled  for 
warmth,  it  is  light  and  perfectly  noiseless  and 
has  stood  the  test  of  ages  by  that  race  of 
hunters,  the  American  Indians,  who  originated 
also  the  camp,  trail,  snow-shoe  and  canoe. 
One  is,  when  equipped  with  them,  more  certain 
in  carrying  a  pack,  he  is  not  so  apt  to  turn  the 
ankle,  and  the  whole  musculature  of  the  foot  is 
brought  into  play  which  is  a  great  desideratum 
in  precarious  climbing. 

Of  materials  moosehide  is  popularly  associ- 
ated with  moccasins.  It  does  not  pretend  to 
be  waterproof  but  it  is  very  durable  and  pro- 
vides the  softest,  lightest,  and  most  comfort- 
able footwear  made.  A  pair  weighs  but  a  few 


70  TOURING  AFOOT 

ounces  and  rolls  up  in  a  small  compass,  so  an 
extra  pair  can  be  nicely  tucked  away  in  a  corner 
of  the  pack.  Even  if  a  man  wears  shoes  dur- 
ing the  day  a  pair  of  moccasins  should  be  taken 
along  for  a  restful  change  of  wear  about  the 
evening  camp  fire.  Moosehide  and  elkskin  are 
at  present  hard  to  procure  hence  the  names  are 
mainly  trade  terms.  Discriminating  sports- 
men can  get  the  genuine  moosehide  cruising 
packs  from  the  Putnam  Company,  Minneapolis. 
For  our  purpose  the  oil  tanned  pack  of  cowhide 
is  more  easily  procurable  and  superior  for  gen- 
eral use  to  the  moosehide  article.  It  can  be 
kept  pliable  and  a  semblance  to  being  water- 
proof by  the  application  of  animal  oils. 

The  shoe-pack  is  a  boot  shaped  like  a  mocca- 
sin but  with  a  higher  top.  Either  is  preferable 
to  a  shoe  for  tramping  because  of  their  light- 
ness and  softness  to  the  feet.  The  upper 
should  be  high  enough  to«  make  the  total  pack 
height  about  ten  inches. 

No  matter  what  footwear  you  choose  you 
should  provide  for  the  wearing  of  one  or  two 
pairs  of  heavy  wool  socks  into  whose  tops  are 
tucked  the  pants  leg,  thus  doing  away  with  leg- 
gings. This  may  sound  paradoxical  to  the 
tenderfoot.  The  idea  of  housing  the  feet  in 
summertime  in  heavy  wool  socks !  The  notion 


FOOTWEAR  71 

nevertheless  is  based  on  experience.  The  thick 
are  no  hotter  on  the  feet  than  the  thin.  It  is 
the  leather  that  keeps  the  heat  in.  Wool 
equalizes  the  moisture  evaporation.  If  your 
work  forces  you  into  wet  places  the  temperature 
is  modified.  One  can  fish  standing  in  very 
cold  water  and  not  suffer.  A  sportsman  can 
spend  several  weeks  in  an  almost  normal  con- 
dition of  wet  feet  without  suffering,  even  in 
mild  fall  weather,  since  his  wool  socks  keep 
his  feet  warm  in  spite  of  the  wet  and  cold. 
Where  one  perspires  freely  on  dry  tramping  the 
perspiration  is  taken  up  from  the  skin  and 
transmitted  by  the  wool  fibers  to  the  outside  of 
the  sock  where  it  is  more  easily  evaporated. 

In  the  coldest  weather  the  feet  are  always 
warm  when  covered  with  heavy  wool  socks  and 
moccasins  and  it  is  the  only  successful  combina- 
tion for  use  in  snowshoes.  For  common 
tramping  they  are  ideal,  for  the  constant  ex- 
posure of  the  feet  to  the  wet  is  to  be  antici- 
pated and  the  thickness  of  the  wool  softens  the 
shock  and  pressure  of  foot  work  on  rough 
trails,  diminishing  the  danger  of  friction  and 
impact.  In  fitting  shoes  or  moccasins  over 
your  heavy  wool  socks  allow  a  half  size  larger 
in  length  and  two  letters  in  width  over  your 
street  shoe.  Even  then  your  foot  covering  will 


73  TOURING  AFOOT 

be  about  three  times  the  bulk  of  your  tight 
fashion-plate  town  footwear. 

The  life  of  a  good  fitting,  light  weight  wool 
sock  worn  with  a  good  fitting  shoe  is  about  75 
to  100  road  miles  or  about  a  week's  wear  in 
constant  marching  under  ordinary  conditions. 
Whenever  the  softness  of  wool  is  lost  because 
of  frequent  washings  discard  them.  Weston 
wears  a  natural  gray  wool  sock  undyed. 

Never  start  on  a  long  hike  with  unbroken 
shoes.  A  quick  way  to  break  them  in  rather 
than  subject  the  tender  feet  to  the  trying  ordeal 
is  to  follow  the  plan  of  the  United  States  Army 
as  follows :  Wearing  the  shoes  over  wool 
socks  stand  in  three  inches  of  warm  water  for 
five  minutes  until  the  leather  is  soft  and  pliable, 
then  walk  on  a  level  surface  for  an  hour  or 
until  the  shoes  dry  on  the  feet,  to  the  shape  of 
which  the  pressure  of  the  body  weight -and  mus- 
cular action  have  forced  the  leather,  in  drying, 
to  conform.  They  will  then  be  as  comfort- 
able as  old  shoes. 

The  one  feature  of  shoe  selection  which 
seems  to  appeal  to  the  average  sportsman  is 
waterproofing.  He  will  allow  his  sane  ideas 
of  size,  shape,  weight  and  durability  to  run 
riot  if  only  the  salesman  can  prove  his  asser- 
tions of  the  waterproof  qualities  of  the  item  at 


FOOTWEAR  73 

hand.  It  happens  to  be  well  nigh  impossible 
to  make  leather  really  waterproof.  If  one 
succeeds  in  impregnating  the  tanned  skin  with 
some  water  repelling  application  the  seams  are 
apt  to  leak  in  worn  shoes  and  the  leather  treat- 
ment goes  for  naught.  In  fact  waterproof 
footwear  is  just  the  condition  the  tramper  does 
not  want.  In  the  first  place  it  is  a-sin  to  encase 
a  perspiring  foot  in  a  shoe  which  retains  all 
the  effete  matter  of  perspiration  which  will 
soften  and  weaken  the  skin.  There  may  be 
conditions  of  wet  snow  where  absolute  dryness 
of  the  feet  is  paramount  but  then  one  had  best 
get  the  regular  rubber  overshoe.  All  that  we 
should  expect  of  leather  is-  that  it  will  be  im- 
pervious to  water  sufficiently  so  as  not  to  soak 
it  up  like  a  sponge.  Wet  feet  won't  hurt  you 
but  hot  and  sore  feet  always  do;  an  occasional 
wet  foot  is  far  better  than  a  continual  sweaty 
damp  foot. 

Moosehide  at  best  is  not  water  repellent  and 
is  good  for  dry  trails  and  dry  snow  work  be- 
cause of  its  porosity.  Oil  tanned  calfskin  shoes 
and  moccasins  are  the  best.  They  should  be 
kept  soft  and  supple  by  the  use  of  one  of  the 
various  dressings  on  the  market  or  one  com- 
pounded at  home.  Perhaps  nothing  beats  pure 
neatsfoot  oil  for  leather  dressing.  It  is  a  nat- 


7*  TOURING  AFOOT 

ural  animal  oil  free  from  acids  and  other  sub- 
stances deleterious  to  leather  life.  It  is  the 
chief  ingredient  of  many  of  the  shoe  greases 
and  waxes  of  commerce  and  is  cheap  and  uni- 
versally procurable.  It  should  be  applied  with 
the  finger  tips  on  the  dried  warm  leather,  rub- 
bing it  carefully  into  seams,  stitch  holes,  and 
threads  to  prevent  their  rotting.  The  French 
Army  dressing  is  composed  of  neatsfoot  oil  7 
parts,  and  mutton  tallow  3  parts.  These 
heavier  dressings  interfere  with  the  evapora- 
tion of  the  perspiration  causing  the  feet  to 
sweat  in  warm  weather. 

In  drying  wet  shoe's  never  place  near  a  fire 
for  this  will  result  in  a  hardening  of  the  leather. 
It  is  better  to  heat  oats  or  gravel  and  fill  the 
shoes  to  absorb  the  dampness.  Moccasins  can 
be  stuffed  with  dry  browse  of  any  kind  or  in- 
verted over  stakes  driven  in  the  ground  not 
too  near  the  camp  fire. 

The  pack  should  contain  a  ditty  bag  with  a 
simple  footwear  repair  outfit.  For  leather 
working  take  along  a  light  weight  awl,  sail- 
maker's  needles  and  waxed  thread  with  per- 
haps a  repair  patch  of  leather  or  rawhide. 
Customarily  after  long  use  of  shoes  or  mocca- 
sins the  threads  break  or  wear  away  leaving 
seam  leaks  and  one  must  be  prepared  to  remedy 


FOOTWEAR  75 

them.  They  will  be  found  especially  around 
the  vamp  at  the  toe  and  the  "  T  "  heel  joint. 
Clean  out  the  old  stitch  holes  back  to  where 
the  twine  is  sound  and  start  your  repair  seam  a 
couple  of  stitches  back  of  this. 


CHAPTER  VII 

EFFICIENT   CRUISING   SHELTERS 

AT  night  the  novice  wants  to  be  housed 
in  and  the  mysteries  of  darkness  shut 
out,  and  as  is  becoming  with  precedent 
in  outdoor  living  he  must  spread  his  blanket 
beneath  cloth.  This  shelter  can  be  very  simple 
indeed  and  yet  protect  one  from  the  elements. 
A  tent's  sufficiency  to  turn  water  is  not  all  that 
is  necessary.  Upon  means  of  transportation 
and  permanency  of  the  camp  depend  the  port- 
ability and  lightness  of  the  forest  home.  What 
will  do  in  a  permanent  camp  with  plenty  of 
transportation  is  a  far  cry  from  the  tent  just 
sufficing  the  absolute  needs  of  the  one-nighter 
who  expects  little  more  than  mere  shelter  and 
warmth. 

The  shelter  must  be  waterproof  and  on  a 
hike  trip  be  the  extreme  in  lightness  and  com- 
pactness for  the  sake  of  easy  carrying.  Light 
weight  tents  of  clever  design  can  now  be  se- 
cured from  any  outfitter;  or  tent  making  at 
home  is  feasible  and  offers  so  much  opportunity 
for  the  expression  of  individual  ideas  that 

76 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS       77 

sooner  or  later  the  outdoor  man  will  try  a  hand 
at  fashioning  the  ideal  shelter.  Exclusively 
for  the  use  of  the  hiker  the  simplest  of  tent 
forms  will  answer. 

THE  SHELTER  CLOTH 

A  rectangular  piece  of  sheeting  of  fine  tex- 
ture, size  7  by  9  feet  and  waterproofed  by  the 
paraffine  process  will  serve  very  well  as  a  roof, 
pitched  leanto  style  or  stretched  over  rope  ridge 
or  poles  as  a  wedge  or  "  A  "  tent.  Its  ends 
may  be  closed  by  thatching  with  browse  and  a 
cozy  fire  built  in  front.  It  makes  the  simplest 
cloth  shelter  known  and  the  cloth  has  a  variety 
of  uses  such  as  a  poncho,  pack  cloth,  floor  cloth 
or  sleeping  bag  cover.  Going  a  step  farther 
in  construction  one  can  make  the  ends  also  of 
cloth  and  then  one  has  a  regular  leanto  whose 
principles  of  construction  are  as  old  as  the  hills 
whence  it  originated.  There  is  no  more  effi- 
cient cloth  shelter  for  all  kinds  of  weather  no 
matter  how  elaborately  it  may  be  constructed. 

One  must  not  regard  the  shelter  feature  of 
the  leanto  as  its  chief  recommendation  for  its 
adaptability  to  perfect  heating  puts  it  above 
any  other  tent.  The  old  fashioned  reflecting 
bread  baker  of  our  forefathers  which  was  set 
up  near  the  open  flames  of  the  fire  place  was  an 


78  TOURING  AFOOT 

efficient  appliance  and  one  which  is  again  com- 
ing into  popularity  to  replace  the  Dutch  oven 
and  ash  cake  methods  of  baking.  The  work 
is  done  by  the  reflecting  surfaces  —  the  angles 
of  the  top  and  bottom  throwing  the  heat  to  the 
middle.  This  same  principle  is  employed  in 
the  shelter  tent  however  with  only  one  reflect- 
ing surface  (the  slanting  roof)  throwing  the 
heat  from  the  front  fire  directly  onto  the  bed. 
Other  advantages  of  the  tent  are :  —  its  light- 
ness and  its  availability  for  use  as  a  general 
pack  cloth  about  camp  or  on  the  trail.  It  is 
the  best  tent  for  snow  work  and  wintering  if 
one  is  driven  to  a  cloth  contrivance  at  all  at 
this  time  of  the  year  without  a  stove. 

The  shelter  cloth  may  be  slung  at  any  angle 
and  best  by  means  of  a  rope  ridge  thus  saving 
pole  cutting.  The  corners  are  staked  out, 
using  two-foot  pegs  which  are  pointed  with  a 
sharp  axe.  With  the  open  side  pitched  to  lee- 
ward one  gets  perfect  ventilation  and  warmth. 
A  rousing  fire  is  required  and  one  for  all  night 
means  hard  labor  since  many  large  logs  are 
necessary  for  use  on  a  chilly  night.  Since  so 
much  wood  is  necessary  naturally  this  type  is 
best  adapted  to  wooded  districts.  In  the 
woods  dampness  is  nearly  always  present  even 
in  summer  days.  This  probably  does  not  al- 


ways  lower  the  temperature  so  much  as  it  in- 
creases the  humidity  of  the  air.  Build  the  fire 
with  the  back  log  reflector,  placing  it  about  four 
to  six  feet  from  the  tent  opening.  Heat  in- 
tensity lessens,  the  greater  the  distance  between 
the  fire  and  the  tent. 

In  mosquito  infested  districts  a  loose  cheese- 
cloth front  can  be  attached  to  the  open  side 
and  again  removed  in  cold  weather  to  allow 
heat  to  be  better  reflected  within  and  affording 
a  cheerful  view  of  the  leaping  flames.  Two 
leanto  shelters  may  be  at  any  time  joined  ridge 
to  ridge  and  thus  used  as  a  wedge  tent.  To 
close  the  ridge  of  such  a  combination  one  must 
have  an  eight  inch  drop  cloth  extending  along 
one  ridge  to  cover  the  opposite  ridge  section. 
They  can  thus  be  at  any  time  separated  and 
used  as  leantos. 

In  making  the  leanto  at  home  the  lightest 
material  should  be  used.  The  advent  of  so- 
called  balloon  silk  has  revolutionized  tent  mak- 
ing and  using  it  has  made  possible  a  better  out- 
door home  where  weight  is  the  main  considera- 
tion. It  may  be  dyed  an  emerald  or  the  popu- 
lar khaki  color  either  of  which  is  restful  to  the 
eye  and  is  inconspicuous  alike  to  human  and  in- 
sect visitors.  After  being  made  into  the  de- 
sired tent  form  it  can  then  be  waterproofed  by 


80  TOURING  AFOOT 


SLANT     HO  0» 


Flap  lervinj  M  floor,  Mnlnf  ,or  door 


FIG.  i. 


\ 


FIG.  2. —  Diagram  for  Ends 
CLOSED  LEANTO  OR  BAKER  TENT 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS       81 

either  the  alum  and  lead  or  the  paraffin  proc- 
ess. The  lines  of  stress  in  a  tent  lead  from 
the  points  of  suspension  and  these  should  be 
strengthened  by  tapes  sewed  on. 

MAKING  THE  CLOSED  LEANTO 
OR  BAKER  TENT 

By  attaching  a  flap  along  the  ridge  of  the 
leanto  the  shelter  may  be  made  into  a  closed 
tent  or  extended  out  in  front  at  the  height  of 
the  ridge  furnishing  an  admirable  awning. 
Further  by  reversing  the  pitching  so  that  the 
ridge  extends  from  A  to  D  the  flap  serves  as 
a  floor.  Waterproof  balloon  silk  may  be  pur- 
chased in  thirty-eight  inch  widths  and  of  it  one 
will  need  twelve  yards  to  form  the  closed  leanto 
whose  length  will  be  seven  and  one-fourth  feet, 
height  four  and  one-fourth  feet,  and  depth  four 
and  one-fourth  feet.  It  will  weigh  around 
three  and  one-fourth  pounds. 

First  you  sew  a  rectangle  seven  feet  six 
inches  by  ten  feet  seven  inches.  See  Fig.  i. 
We  have  here  given  oversize  measurements  to 
allow  for  an  overlap  of  one-half  inch  or  so  at 
the  seams.  At  the  ridge  E-B  reinforce  with 
tape  or  cloth  and  use  two  inches  of  the  rec- 
tangle to  sew  over  a  rope  ridge  from  B  to  E. 
The  ends,  Fig.  2,  are  made  from  a  square  four 


82  TOURING  AFOOT 

feet  six  inches  by  four  feet  six  inches  and  then 
cut  from  the  corner  A  to  corner  B.  Thus 
A-B,  Fig.  2,  is  sewn  to  A— B,  Fig.  i  and  D-E, 
Fig.  2  to  D-E,  Fig.  i.  The  edges  of  the 
whole  tent  are  turned  under  and  reinforced  by 
a  one-half  inch  white  tape.  At  suitable  inter- 
vals tie  tapes  are  sewn  around  the  tent  edges 
to  facilitate  an  attachment  to  ground  pegs  and 
in  the  adjustment  of  the  flap. 

THE  TARPAULIN  TENT 

A  piece  of  cloth  eight  by  twelve  feet  will 
furnish  a  remarkable  variety  of  tent  forms  and 
shelter  devices  from  a  leanto  to  the  closed 
style.  It  is  the  best  bivouac  for  rain  and  mos- 
quitoes. Aside  from  its  simplicity  in  shape 
and  handiness  in  construction,  it  has,  if  made 
from  the  proper  materials,  an  added  advantage 
of  lightness  and  is  ideal  for  use  as  a  general 
utility  camp  cloth.  No  other  style  of  tent  will 
furnish  so  much  head  and  sleeping  room  for  the 
same  weight  and  area  of  cloth. 

In  making  one  at  home  procure  four  yards 
of  unbleached  muslin  of  ninety  inch  width  (or 
twelve  yards  of  the  thirty  inch  width),  dye  it 
the  shade  of  color  desired,  and  use  it  to  make 
the  tent  and  then  waterproof  it.  Cut  and  sew 
the  pieces  into  the  8  by  12  sheet  and  make 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS       83 


&*r 


DIAGRAM  OF  TARPAULIN  TENT 


TARPAULIN  TENT  ERECTED 


84  TOURING  AFOOT 

around  the  edge  a  24  incn  hem.  Lay  it  flat 
and  with  chalk  or  a  pencil  mark  the  lines  as 
diagramed.  For  reinforcement  sew  on  light 
tape  from  the  points  a,  b,  h,  c  and  f  as  indi- 
cated and  converging  all  at  G  where  a  semi- 
circle of  the  tent  material  is  sewed  in  and  a 
strong  cord  loop  is  attached  to  the  grommet  in 
the  peak.  This  suspension  point  will  receive 
the  greatest  stress  when  the  tent  is  pitched. 
Upon  this  tape  reinforcement  depends  the 
strength  more  than  the  kind  of  cloth  used. 
Make  peg  loops  at  e,  d,  f,  a,  h,  b,  and  c.  The 
back  of  the  tent  will  extend  from  a  to  b,  the 
sides  f  to  a  and  b,  to  c  and  the  front  e  to  d 
with  the  apex  at  G.  The  holes  are  protected 
with  grommets  procured  from  the  tent  shop  or 
hardware  store  and  the  cloth  reinforced  by 
3  by  3  inch  squares  sewed  in. 

The  tarpaulin  used  as  a  flat  front  tent,  as 
a  leanto  or  as  an  open  shelter  tent  can  be 
erected  in  a  few  minutes.  To  set  up  —  the 
corners  are  first  pegged  down  at  A  and  B 
stretching  the  rear  line  snugly:  carry  the  sides 
B  and  C  and  F  and  A  to  the  point  S  at  right 
angles  to  the  rear  line  and  peg  down.  Throw 
the  suspension  rope  (5  yards  of  braided  win- 
dow sash  cord)  attached  to  the  loop  at  G  over 
a  projecting  limb  or  pole  and  pull  taut.  This 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS        85 

rope  should  continue  the  angle  of  the  roof  from 
H  to  G  and  the  front  e,  f,  g  and  c,  d,  g,  is  per- 
pendicular. A  sod  cloth  may  be  sewed  around 
the  floor  or  a  permanent  floor  cloth  fitted  in. 
In  mosquito  season  a  loose  cheese  cloth  door 
may  be  attached.  The  dimensions  of  this  use- 
ful tent  when  pitched  are  height  6l/>  feet,  depth 
5  feet,  and  width  7^  feet  and  when  con- 
structed of  balloon  silk  need  not  exceed  a 
weight  of  six  pounds. 

The  tarpaulin  tent  inherits  various  salient 
features  of  worthy  forebears  —  the  teepee's 
peak,  the  roof  angle  of  the  A  tent,  also  the 
pyramid  or  miner's,  its  front  is  a  suggestion  of 
the  wall  tent,  while  the  open  camp  feature  re- 
minds us  of  the  leanto  with  its  broad  sloping 
back  wall  which  reflects  heat  on  cold  nights. 

The  tarpaulin  used  as  an  open  faced  tent  is 
a  compromise  between  a  wedge  and  a  cone 
tent.  It  lessens  the  height  but  gives  more  floor 
space.  Peg  down  a  and  b  as  usual,  then  f  and 
c  somewhat  at  a  distance  and  at  an  obtuse  angle 
to  the  back  and  the  front  flaps  out  from  the 
center. 

The  tarpaulin  used  as  a  leanto  tent  is  easily 
erected  by  pegging  down  the  corners  E  and  D 
and  suspending  the  opposite  edge  at  an  angle 
of  45  degrees  as  a  ridge.  Build  your  fire  in 


86  TOURING  AFOOT 

front.  For  additional  protection  put  poles, 
brush,  etc.,  at  the  ends  of  the  shelter. 

Of  materials  preferable  for  use  in  light 
weight  tent-making  waterproofed  balloon 
silk  stands  in  a  class  by  itself.  Superseding  the 
antiquated  duck  or  flimsy  drill  tents  it  is  one 
of  the  items  which  has  done  much  to  make 
tramping  trips  feasible  and  worth  while.  It  is 
in  reality  not  a  silk  at  all  but  a  closely  woven 
cotton  cloth  with  a  weight  of  but  3%  ounces  per 
square  yard  (12  ounce  duck  waterproofed  tips 
the  scales  at  about  16  ounces).  It  is  water- 
proof, rot  proof,  mildew  proof  and  exceedingly 
durable.  A  leanto  for  the  bivouacker  can  then 
be  kept  down  to  three  pounds. 

Other  colors  than  white  are  recommended 
for  tents.  Khaki  is  popular  because  it  blends 
with  the  color  scheme  of  the  woods  and  plains 
and  is  restful  to  the  eyes  in  the  sun  and  cool 
on  a  hot  day.  A  khaki  colored  waterproof  silk 
is  marketed  as  Tantalite.  Should  one  prefer 
a  cloth  of  green  color  he  should  get  the  so- 
called  Emeralite.  Neither  one  is  so  conducive 
to  the  collection  of  flies  and  other  insects  nor 
so  noticeable  in  the  woods  as  white.  None  of 
these  cloths  soak  up  water,  hence  if  packed 
away  after  a  rainy  spell  they  do  not  appreciably 
burden  the  pack.  Tents  of  most  any  desired 


shape  can  be  secured  ready  made  from  any  of 
the  above  materials. 

Should  one  want  to  attempt  tent  making  at 
home  he  should  get  the  so-called  Egyptian  sail 
cloth  or  Number  XXX  muslin  and  after  mak- 
ing it  up  into  the  desired  tent  form  waterproof 
it  by  one  of  the  methods  hereafter  described. 

WATERPROOFING  METHODS 

Upon  touching  a  tent  roof  during  a  rain  it 
will  in  most  cases  begin  to  leak.  Processing 
to  make  it  waterproof  will  avail  little  if  the 
right  cloth  is  not  used  in  the  first  place.  Say 
you  are  making  a  so-called  silk  tent  using  mus- 
lin. There  are  several  grades  and  weaves  on 
the  market  some  being  loosely  woven  and  they 
soak  up  water  like  cheesecloth.  So  get  it  of 
the  tightest  weave  and  by  impregnating  the 
fibers  with  a  waterproofing  solution  they  are 
enveloped  by  the  water  repellent  mixture  and 
the  interstices  are  not  large  enough  to  let  the 
water  through.  The  proper  closely  woven 
muslin  cannot  be  secured  in  the  average  town 
store  but  by  perseverance  can  be  purchased 
from  the  city  department  stores. 

Waterproofing  by  paraffin  is  a  most  satis- 
factory process  and  the  one  most  used  by  tent 
manufacturers.  True  the  cloth  is  thereby  stif- 


88  TOURING  AFOOT 

fened  in  cold  weather  but  it  is  absolutely  water- 
proof and  the  method  of  application  is  easy. 
Simply  put  into  a  tin  vessel  3  pounds  of  par- 
affin shavings  (ordinary  paraffin  of  the  stores) 
and  two  gallons  of  gasolene  or  turpentine. 
The  receptacle,  best  with  a  closed  top,  is  set  in 
the  sun  or  in  a  tub  of  boiling  water  and  never 
near  a  flame.  When  a  solution  is  effected  out- 
doors spread  it  on  the  stretched  cloth  by  means 
of  a  brush,  sponge  or  piece  of  cheesecloth. 
The  gasolene  evaporates  leaving  a  thin  coating 
of  paraffin  in  the  fibers  of  the  cloth. 

Such  coloring  as  you  may  desire  to  apply 
to  the  cloth  must  be  done  before  the  water- 
proofing process  for  thereafter  the  fibers  will 
not  take  up  a  dye  solution. 

To  make  it  fire  proof  and  rot  proof  as  well 
as  water  repellent  I  would  treat  the  cloth  first 
to  an  alum  and  sugar  of  lead  solution  and  then 
paraffin  well  as  above.  Fireproof  cloth  is 
nearly  as  desirable  as  waterproofing.  Many 
camps  have  been  burned  by  sparks  falling  on 
the  tent  roof  which  was  rendered  very  dry  by 
the  heat  of  the  nearby  camp  fire.  A  spark 
falling  on  a  properly  treated  tent  roof  burns 
only  a  little  round  hole  at  the  worst. 

The  alum  and  sugar  of  lead  solution  is  made 
thus:  —  4  ounces  of  alum  and  10  ounces  of 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS       89 

lime  are  added  to  10  quarts  of  water  and  the 
tent  immersed  overnight.  In  the  morning  it 
is  rinsed  in  lukewarm  rainwater  and  dried  in  the 
sun.  The  fibers  of  the  cloth  are  filled  with  an 
insoluble  solution  of  lead  acetate  and  alum  and 
is  rendered  efficiently  fire  and  water  proof. 

THE  EMERGENCY  BIVOUAC 

No  man  knows  what  he  can  do  outdoors 
until  he  has  tried  it  personally.  The  shifty 
man  caught  homeless  in  the  woods  will  make 
some  sort  of  shelter  for  himself  out  of  anything 
at  hand  as  slats,  boards,  bark,  boughs,  sod, 
poles,  dirt  or  whatever  is  available.  At  no 
stage  of  the  camper's  game  can  one  display  his 
ability  to  utilize  woodcraft  as  he  can  in  build- 
ing the  emergency  bivouac. 

Wherever  one  goes  matches,  knife,  and  axe 
should  always  accompany  him.  With  these  he 
is  ready  for  preparing  a  windproof  and  as  far 
as  possible  a  weather  proof  shelter  to  secure 
necessary  warmth  no  matter  where  he  may  be 
caught  out. 

A  simple  tree  shelter  is  provided  by  selecting 
a  small  evergreen,  cutting  partially  through  the 
trunk  at  a  point  4  to  5  feet  from  the  ground  so 
that  in  falling  the  butt  remains  attached  to  the 
stump.  On  the  ground  side  cut  away  all  limbs 


90  TOURING  AFOOT 

and  branches  for  this  is  to  be  your  roof.  The 
upstanding  limbs  on  the  outside  may  also  be 
partly  cut  and  so  bent  over  as  to  further  en- 
hance the  value  of  the  roof.  The  browse  lay- 
ing about  is  then  collected  and  thatched  on  the 
ground  for  a  bed.  The  ends  may  be  enclosed 
by  the  addition  of  other  trees  —  poles,  browse, 
etc.,  roughly  thatched  to  serve  as  a  wind  break. 
A  leanto  of  poles,  covered  with  bark  or 
browse,  makes  a  handy  shelter  for  a  little 
emergency  camp.  Select  a  big  boulder  and  lay 
against  it  four  poles  sticking  the  pointed  butt 
ends  firmly  in  the  ground.  If  no  boulder  is 
available  fasten  horizontally  a  pole  between  two 
trees  to  lean  the  slanting  roof  poles  upon  or 
support  it  by  two  upright  poles  with  forks. 
Lean  against  the  cross  pole  enough  other  poles 
to  form  a  rough  roof  with  proper  pitch  which 
must  be  steep  if  the  weather  is  bad.  Thatch 
with  browse  like  shingles  or  simply  lay  on  pine 
or  hemlock  branches.  These  fans  always  grow 
close  to  the  ground  on  young  hemlocks  and 
with  an  axe  a  big  pile  may  be  secured  in  a  few 
minutes.  A  shelter  cloth  of  course  comes  in 
handy  here.  Cover  the  floor  with  boughs. 
The  ends  may  be  closed  similarly.  A  good  log 
is  laid  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  bed.  In  winter 


EFFICIENT  SHELTERS        91 

such  a  thatching  if  covered  with  snow  supplies 
a  warm  shelter.  Before  the  open  front  build 
a  reflector  and  a  fire,  and  you  can  enjoy  a  cozy 
camp. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

CAMP   MAKING 

WITNESS  the  conduct  of  the  sea- 
soned woods  traveler.     His  camp 
comfort  is  ever  uppermost  in  his 
mind  and  although  with  meager  outfit  he  so 
employs   the    artifices   of   woodcraft   that   his 
nights  are  spent  in  pleasant  surroundings  and 
refreshing  sleep. 

After  the  day's  tramp  he  must  get  a  warm 
meal  and  into  comfortable  repose  as  soon  as 
possible.  Hence  toward  evening  he  chooses  a 
suitable  camp  site  near  good  drinking  water. 
The  latter  is  often  of  questionable  quality  and 
yet  of  considerable  importance  from  the  point 
of  view  of  health.  If  in  doubt  about  its  purity 
boil  the  drinking  water  for  half  an  hour,  cool 
and  strain  through  cotton  or  cloth.  Most 
mountain  streams  are  pure.  Caution  is  espe- 
cially necessary  in  regions  where  stagnation 
and  germ  life  are  prevalent,  in  valleys  where 
camping  parties  or  inhabitants  have  contam- 
inated the  watershed  or  where  the  water  has 
flowed  over  poisonous  mineral  deposits. 

92 


93 

If  on  a  fishing  trip  the  nearer  the  camper  is 
to  the  trout  stream  the  better,  if  on  a  shooting 
foray  his  field  for  selecting  a  site  is  greatly 
broadened.  He  must  look  out  to  be  near 
plenty  of  firewood  and  leanto  material. 

The  exact  spot  where  one's  bed  is  to  rest 
and  shelter  erected  should  be  on  a  slight  eleva- 
tion where  the  ground  is  dry  and  which  falls 
away  from  the  tent  on  all  sides,  providing  per- 
fect drainage  in  possible  wet  weather.  A 
windbreak  of  heavy  tree  growth  is  desirable  but 
never  get  near  trees  that  may  blow  down  in 
a  storm. 

Now  go  about  pitching  the  tent,  placing  it 
so  the  entrance  will  be  to  leeward  of  the  pre- 
vailing winds;  avoid  these  by  keeping  away 
from  the  high  hills.  Select  two  trees  ten  feet 
apart  with  a  flat  place  between  and  proceed  to 
level  the  tent  floor  by  removing  browse  and 
rocks,  smoothing  dirt  mounds,  etc.  Now  pro- 
ceed to  make  your  shelter  which  may  of  neces- 
sity be  the  Indian  emergency  bivouac  or  the 
shelter  cloth  camp.  (See  chapter  7  "  Efficient 
Cruising  Shelters.") 

Next  clear  a  living  space  in  front  of  the  tent 
providing  room  for  the  fire.  In  no  way  does 
the  camping  tyro  proclaim  his  greenness  more 
than  when  he  attempts  to  make  a  fire.  The 


94  TOURING  AFOOT 

white  man  nearly  always  builds  a  fire  of  a  size 
that  is  out  of  all  proportion  to  his  needs  while 
an  Indian  usually  builds  a  very  small  fire  —  a 
habit  acquired  possibly  from  his  former  neces- 
sity of  concealing  his  whereabouts  from  pos- 
sible enemies  but  probably  because  of  his  good 
sense  in  woodcraft  in  doing  only  those  things 
which  are  really  necessary.  A  good  knowl- 
edge of  fire  building  is  always  essential  for  the 
preparation  of  meals  and  for  night  heating  pur- 
poses. We  must  master,  in  keeping  with  the 
above  needs,  the  making  of  the  small  cooking 
fire  and  the  larger  "  friendship  "  or  night  fire 
for  warmth. 

THE  COOKING  FIRE 

The  cooking  fire  should  be  made  quite  syste- 
matically and  quite  apart  from  the  heater.  If 
one  simply  wishes  to  boil  a  pot  of  water  or 
toast  a  piece  of  bacon  the  fire  may  be  made  of 
small  material  such  as  dry  short  twigs  picked 
from  a  standing  tree.  For  the  regulation 
cooking  fire  it  should  be  kept  so  small  that  one 
can  approach  without  having  his  eyebrows 
singed.  There  is  no  need  to  have  a  lot  of 
flames  but  replenish  often  and  keep  it  going 
steadily,  thus  forming  a  good  bed  of  coals  to 
send  heat  in  all  directions. 


95 

Several  methods  are  used  for  supporting  the 
cooking  utensils  over  the  fire: —  (a)  dig  an 
earthen  trench  6  inches  deep  and  slightly  nar- 
rower than  the  fry  pan  bottom.  Along  either 
side  lay  a  3  foot  small  green  pole  and  build  the 
fire  between.  The  pan  and  kettle  may  rest  on 
these  poles  or  may  be  suspended  by  hooks  at- 
tached to  a  dingle  stick  whose  other  sharpened 
end  is  thrust  in  the  ground  at  a  slight  distance 
and  pressed  to  slant  over  the  fire.  Again  they 
may  be  attached  by  crotched  sticks  from  a  cross 
pole  which  rests  in  notched  stakes  driven  in 
the  ground  at  either  end  and  at  a  proper  height 
from  the  fire,  (b)  A  couple  of  small  green 
logs,  hewn  flat  on  top,  laid  five  inches  apart  and 
pegged  into  place  to  prevent  rolling,  are  also 
serviceable.  At  one  end  the  distance  between 
logs  may  be  widened  to  accommodate  the  dif- 
ferent sized  utensils.  Flat  stones  may  be  used 
to  build  the  little  fireplace.  If  your  fire  does 
not  draw  well  you  can  raise  one  end  of  a  log 
a  little  off  the  ground  by  putting  a  small  stick 
thereunder.  Wait  until  the  fire  of  clear  wood 
has  burned  down  to  coals  and  then  cut  off  your 
draft  and  cook  over  the  coals,  using  the  log 
supports  as  though  they  were  a  range.  Your 
cooking  fire  is  little  larger  than  your  hat  and 
throws  off  very  little  if  any  smoke. 


96  TOURING  AFOOT 

THE  FRIENDSHIP  FIRE  FOR 
WARMTH 

This  is  the  heater  for  comfort  as  you  while 
away  the  evening  in  cheerful  reminiscence  of 
the  day's  happenings,  as  you  watch  the  lurk- 
ing mysteries  of  night  approach,  and  which 
will  warm  you  before  you  roll  in  fluffy  blankets 
for  the  night's  repose. 

The  fire  for  heat  must  needs  be  larger  than 
the  cooking,  yet  too  big  a  roaring  fire  is  what 
you  don't  want.  Something  moderate  which 
will  be  safe  in  a  change  of  wind  and  which  will 
throw  heat  into  the  tent  will  be  found  adequate. 
To  enhance  its  value  one  should  build  the  night 
fire  before  a  reflector  which  borrows  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  old  fashioned  fireplace  for  throw- 
ing heat  forward.  It  is  located  about  six  feet 
in  front  of  the  tent's  entrance  and  may  be  com- 
posed simply  of  a  big  boulder,  a  small  flat  faced 
cliff  or  a  regularly  made  wall  of  green  logs. 

In  making  the  log  reflector  cut  two  stout 
stakes  long  enough  to  project  three  feet  above 
the  ground  after  they  have  been  driven  down 
sufficiently  to  hold  well,  placing  them  one  yard 
apart  with  their  protruding  ends  slanting  away 
from  the  tent.  Now  take  a  four  foot  green 
log,  say  a  foot  thick,  and  place  on  the  ground 


CAMP  MAKING  97 

against  the  stakes.  Pile  upon  this  three  logs 
of  lesser  diameter,  the  difference  in  size  will 
hold  them  in  place.  Then  cut  two  short  green 
logs  to  act  as  fire  dogs  and  place  them  on  the 
ground  end  on  against  the  back  log  reflector. 
Across  these  lay  several  dry  logs  for  burning, 
put  your  small  starting  twigs  or  trash  stuff  be- 
neath and  ignite. 

In  building  a  fire  secure,  if  possible,  for  kin- 
dling the  bark  of  the  birch  which  is  easily  ac- 
cessible if  one  goes  to  the  North  woods  where 
most  camping  is  done.  It  is  torn  in  strips  and 
rubbed  dry  to  a  fray.  In  other  regions  you  will 
be  driven  to  the  use  of  dry  grass  or  other  highly 
inflammable  material.  Over  this  put  twigs  or 
the  choppings  from  the  cores  of  dead  trees, 
laying  them  in  pyramidal  shape  with  open  air 
spaces  within.  Now  touch  off  the  pile  with  one 
of  the  matches  which  you  have  been  careful  to 
pack  in  a  waterproof  matchbox.  When  well 
aflame  put  on  carefully  the  branches  of  suc- 
cessively larger  sized  sticks  allowing  plenty  of 
air  supply  to  the  flames. 

In  wet  weather  the  task  of  the  inexperienced 
fire  maker  is  more  difficult  unless  he  is  well 
supplied  with  birch  bark  which  has  plenty  of 
oil  in  it.  Without  the  bark  one  must  get 
enough  fine  shavings  of  the  dry  insides  of  de- 


98  TOURING  AFOOT 

caying  logs  and  pile  them  up  and  carefully  add 
small  fuel  as  needed. 

For  larger  fires  purely  for  heating  purposes 
start  a  small  fire  and  add  larger  wood  until  you 
get  the  big  blaze  which  will  then  likely  con- 
sume even  wet  wood.  It  is  important  to  know 
what  kind  of  wood  to  choose  for  fuel.  In  gen- 
eral standing  dead  timber  is  always  drier  than 
down  timber.  You  may  be  surprised  at  the 
good  wood  one  can  garner  from  dead  stumps 
which  are  decayed  on  the  outside  but  have  a 
sound  core  which  splits  easily  and  burns  to  per- 
fection. Always  use  these  woods  in  prefer- 
ence to  a  growing  tree. 

One  unfailing  sign  of  the  good  camper  is  his 
use  of  just  as  little  wood  as  is  possible.  It 
should  be  gathered  before  night  and  placed 
near  the  shelter. 

In  the  woods  always  be  careful  about  spread- 
ing fire,  a  forest  fire  may  result  and  destroy  not 
only  the  camp  but  your  hunting  and  camping 
grounds  and  deprive  others  of  their  rightful 
enjoyments  and  heritage.  Such  carelessness  is 
considered  a  crime  among  woodsmen  and  in 
some  states  is  a  direct  violation  of  the  law. 
Bear  in  mind  several  simple  rules  for  fire  pre- 
vention :  —  never  throw  a  match  in  dry  leaves : 
never  leave  a  fire  burning  when  there  is  no  one 


99 

to  watch  it,  for  a  gust  of  wind  may  start  a  bad 
fire  from  a  bed  of  half  dead  embers.  In  lo- 
cating camp  always  build  the  camp  fire  in  the 
open  if  possible  or  on  sand  or  soil  but  never 
on  forest  loam.  Note  the  direction  of  the 
wind  and  try  to  build  the  fire  just  to  windward 
of  a  brook,  road  or  green  grassy  plat  which 
would  act  as  natural  barriers  to  a  spreading 
conflagration.  In  fighting  fire,  pour  water  on 
the  flames  themselves,  soak  it,  drown  it  or  cover 
with  earth.  If  the  ground  is  of  loam  or  peaty 
nature  souse  it  also.  If  it  is  spreading  use 
boughs  dipped  in  water  to  beat  flames  with  or 
use  a  wet  blanket  or  even  a  shirt  if  necessary 
rather  than  let  the  fire  leap  from  your  control. 
Having  properly  started  your  cooking  fire 
you  are  now  ready  to  unpack  the  grub  bags. 
The  cook  kit  is  to  be  rinsed  out  well,  the  kettle 
filled  with  water  and  put  over  the  fire;  fill  the 
fry  pan  with  meat  ration  and  start  your  batter 
for  cakes.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  meal  clean 
up  the  dishes  at  once  so  that  the  hours  of  re- 
laxation before  sleep  may  be  unharassed  by 
the  drugery  of  undone  scullion's  work.  The 
dishes  are  wiped  with  tufts  of  grass,  washed  in 
clear  water  and  thoroughly  dried  before  the 
fire. 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE   OUTDOOR   BED   QUESTION 

TO  one  who  has  never  done  any  camping 
the  choice  of  a  bed  is  one  that  nettles 
him  and  he  will  have  doubts  about  be- 
ing comfortable  with  the  outfits  recommended 
by  those  of  experience.  Upon  no  article  of 
wilderness  equipment  is  there  so  much  diversity 
of  opinion  expressed  nor  upon  which  more  ex- 
perimentation is  lavished  by  the  average  en- 
thusiast than  the  camp  bed.  From  the  cum- 
bersome bedstead  of  civilization  to  the  neces- 
sarily extremely  portable  bed  of  the  movable 
camp  is  a  far  cry.  In  spite  of  all  experiences 
the  latter  is  found  to  be  best  patterned  after 
principles  of  the  former.  Just  the  method  of 
adaptation  is  the  problem  that  confronts  us. 

The  tenderfoot  styles  himself  a  woodsman 
by  displaying  willingness  to  sleep  on  a  poorly 
prepared  bed,  even  boasting  of  the  smallness 
and  lightness  of  this  part  of  his  outfit.  He  is 

out  to  "  rough  it,"  you  know.     The  seasoned 
100 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      101 

campaigner  on  the  other  hand  prides  himself 
on  the  comfort  of  his  nightly  abode.  The  na- 
tive Indian  can  and  often  does  sleep  on  a  hard 
bed  and  you  can  simulate  him  when  you  are 
accustomed  to  it  but  probably  you  will  not  have 
the  time  to  get  used  to  this  on  the  short  vaca- 
tion you  will  have. 

A  man  may  abuse  his  physical  powers  by  day 
in  the  most  exhausting  work.  He  can  go  into 
the  wilderness  expecting  to  pay  small  attention 
to  a  comfortable  and  rejuvenating  night's  rest 
but  he  can  not  stand  up  under  it.  One  can 
make  out  for  a  few  hours  on  most  any  kind  of 
makeshift  for  a  bed  if  his  sleep  is  from  exhaus- 
tion but  sooner  or  later  he  will  be  disturbed 
by  the  inequalities  of  the  earth's  surface,  rocks, 
sticks  and  mounds,  and  when  awake  his  muscles 
will  be  stiff  and  sore,  his  powers  unrefreshed 
and  he  will  soon  go  to  pieces. 

A  good  bed  is  no  disgrace.  The  men  who 
are  obliged  to  live  out  of  doors  all  the  time, 
on  the  range  or  forest  trails  are  likely  to  be  the 
very  ones  most  particular  about  their  beds  and 
to  see  some  of  them  at  work  on  browse  bunk 
and  rude  shelter  one  would  believe  they  were 
preparing  to  spend  the  rest  of  their  days  in  that 
particular  spot.  So  no  matter  how  light  you 
travel  provide  for  a  suitable  night's  rest. 


102  TOURING  AFOOT 

Should  your  fastidiousness  lead  you  to  add  any 
foible  to  the  already  completed  pack  let  it  be  on 
this  essential  item  of  wilderness  equipment. 

By  careful  choice  the  bed  need  not  be  cum- 
bersome to  pack  and  yet  be  ample  to  satisfy 
all  needs.  It  should  protect  the  sleeper  from 
the  cold  which  is  greatest  near  the  tent's  floor 
and  from  the  winds  whose  greatest  force  is 
spent  when  it  contends  against  the  properly 
pitched  shelter  overhead.  Provision  must  be 
made  for  keeping  the  bedding  off  the  ground 
and  for  allowing  an  egress  of  moisture  in  the 
summer  and  a  retention  of  heat  in  winter. 
One  has  a  variety  of  styles  to  choose  from, 
ranging  from  sleeping  on  the  warmed  bare 
ground  to  luxuriating  on  the  latest  invention  for 
creature  comfort  when  camping  —  the  com- 
bined pneumatic  mattress  and  blanket  bag. 

In  all  likelihood  you  will  depend  for  warmth 
upon  blankets.  Their  use  is  so  universal  that 
we  need  no  discussion  other  than  in  regard  to 
their  quality  and  shape.  As  commonly  used 
a  blanket  bed  throws  open  easily;  there  is  no 
condensation  of  moisture  and  the  sleeper  is  able 
to  wrap  up  snugly,  retaining  all  of  the  gen- 
erated animal  heat.  Lambs'  wool  fibers  are 
peculiar  in  that  they  have  a  natural  repulsion 
for  water.  They  have  the  attribute  of  hold- 


ing  air  in  the  interstices  between  the  fibers,  thus 
creating  a  dead  air  space  which  is  a  noncon- 
ductor of  heat.  On  account  of  these  things 
wool  becomes  ideal  for  body  covering.  Damp 
wool  will  not  chill,  which  condition  the  outer 
is  often  up  against  many  times  a  day.  In  sum- 
mer the  evaporation  of  surplus  moisture  and 
in  winter  the  retention  of  animal  heat  is  ob- 
tained. The  thicker  and  looser  the  texture  of 
woolen  goods  the  greater  will  be  the  warmth. 

Cotton  is  objectionable  because  it  is  not 
warm  and  is  in  danger  of  being  "  fired  "  from 
stray  camp  fire  sparks.  The  wool  of  the  South 
American  llama  is  a  new  material  used  for  out- 
ing purposes  and  besides  having  all  the  good  at- 
tributes of  lamb's  wool  has  an  additional  one 
of  being  very  much  lighter  in  weight.  A  llama 
blanket  weighs  about  six  pounds  and  equals  in 
warmth  about  fifteen  pounds  of  ordinary  blan- 
ket. The  secret  of  its  warmth  is  in  the  great 
number  of  air  cells  between  the  loose  texture 
of  its  fibers  which  retain  body  heat.  At  the 
same  time  it  gets  rid  of  the  moisture  which  the 
sleeper  throws  off  in  great  quantities  as  natural 
body  emanations.  Its  prohibitive  cost  will 
prevent  its  general  adoption. 

Eiderdown  in  no  way  equalizes  tempera- 
tures. It  simply  retains  moisture  and  heat  and 


104  TOURING  AFOOT 

is  too  warm  except  on  the  coldest  nights.  Usu- 
ally in  the  form  of  a  quilt  whose  outer  cloth 
covering  tears  easily  the  fluffy  down  is  hard  to 
control.  It  is  of  little  use  beneath  the  sleeper 
because  the  pressure  squeezes  out  the  confined 
air. 

The  blanket  as  well  as  the  union  suit  then 
had  best  be  all  wool  of  the  domestic  lamb 
variety.  In  buying  blankets  beware  that  many 
of  those  offered  you  may  be  humbug.  See  to 
it  that  you  get  an  article  made  up  of  curly  wool 
fibers  and  not  "  adulterated  "  by  the  straight 
cotton  kind  —  a  differentiation  easily  deter- 
mined by  the  aid  of  a  small  magnifying  glass. 
Also  see  to  it  that  the  weight  is  in  the  thickness 
and  not  in  the  size.  In  this  country  the  regu- 
lation Army  blanket  is  to  be  depended  upon. 
However,  if  they  can  be  secured,  a  person  will 
certainly  make  no  mistake  in  getting  a  genuine 
Hudson  Bay  or  Mackinaw.  The  proper 
weight  is  about  five  pounds  per  blanket  and 
size  seventy-two  by  seventy-eight  is  about  right. 
If  you  get  it  too  narrow  you  cannot  then  roll 
it  up  so  snugly  for  packing  nor  wrap  it  so  closely 
about  the  body  at  night. 

The  number  of  blankets  needed  depends 
somewhat  upon  the  time  of  year  and  the  lo- 
cality of  use  and  whether  or  not  the  all  night 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      105 

fire  is  to  be  used.  In  ordinary  summer  weather 
one  blanket  is  enough  especially  if  combined 
with  the  proper  browse  bag  and  wind  break 
and  is  enough  even  for  frosty  autumn  tempera- 
tures up  to  stream  freezing  time,  excepting  in 
the  higher  altitudes.  With  the  temperature 
under  thirty-two  degrees  two  Army  blankets 
will  be  needed. 

Many  mountaineers  to  whom  strenuous  pe- 
destrianism  and  cold  nights  of  the  higher  alti- 
tudes necessitate  the  lightest  form  of  bedding 
prefer  wool  quilts  which  are  folded  and  sewed 
on  one  end  and  half  up  one  side  in  the  form  of 
a  sleeping  bag  which  is  protected  from  the 
damp  ground  by  a  waterproof  balloon  silk 
cover. 

Where  the  transportation  is  inadequate  as  on 
a  hike  trip,  the  wearing  of  an  extra  suit  of 
underwear  is  as  warm  as  an  extra  blanket. 
One  then  gets  the  dead  air  space  between  the 
wool  and  the  warmth  is  thereby  intensified  be- 
cause the  number  of  layers  of  covering  retains 
the  heat  longer  than  one  thick  layer  of  the  same 
weight. 

In  Arctic  work  the  clothing  and  bed  cover 
must  be  chosen  with  one  particular  fact  in  mind 
—  that  moisture  condensation  from  the  body 
perspiration  or  from  accidental  immersion  in 


106  TOURING  AFOOT 

water  must  be  eliminated,  otherwise  ice  will 
form  to  the  detriment  of  the  individual.  Any 
woven  fabric  will  hold  condensation  while  fur 
will  not.  Fur  then  is  the  clothing  and  bed 
cover  of  choice  where  one  is  exposed  to  ex- 
tremes in  cold.  The  fur  should  be  worn  with 
the  hair  outside  the  same  way  that  the  animals 
wear  it,  otherwise  it  is  too  hot.  The  best  fur 
is  caribou  skin  and  it  is  warmer  and  lighter  than 
a  blanket  of  wool.  Llama  wool  is  next  best. 

Very  satisfactory  fur  robes  may  be  made  of 
the  rabbit  or  cat  skin  and  if  made  after  the  fol- 
lowing method  you  will  have  the  warmest  bed 
fabric  known  to  man.  The  skins  are  tanned  by 
soaking  the  "  green  "  hides  in  running  water 
for  one  to  four  hours.  Then  the  flesh  and  fat 
is  peeled  off  with  a  dull  knife  and  the  skin 
soaked  for  two  days  in  a  tan  liquor  of  sulphuric 
acid  (poison)  one  ounce,  salt  one  quart  and  wa- 
ter one  gallon  contained  in  an  earthen  jar. 
Rinse  the  skin  in  clear  water,  dry  and  when 
partly  dried  work  well  in  the  hands  thus  break- 
ing up  the  fibers  to  keep  it  soft. 

The  tanned  and  softened  skin  is  now  cut  into 
long  strips  one-fourth  of  an  inch  wide,  which 
are  tied  or  sewed  together,  each  strip  being 
twisted  so  that  the  fur  stands  out  all  around  the 
hide  thong.  These  strips  are  then  interbraided 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      107 

into  a  loose  web  in  a  frame  the  size  your 
blanket  is  to  be.  The  chief  objection  to  this 
article  is  that  it  is  heavy  and  the  fur  sheds  a 
good  deal  so  it  is  best  to  cover  the  blanket  with 
light  cloth  which  of  course  adds  some  weight 
without  giving  any  additional  warmth.  A  full 
sized  rabbit  robe  weighs  ten  pounds  and  is 
warmer  than  many  blankets  of  wool.  The  se- 
cret of  its  warmth  is  the  dead  air  interspaces 
between  the  fibers. 

There  is  considerable  difference  of  opinion 
among  woodsmen  regarding  the  choice  between 
the  sleeping  bag  and  blanket  bed.  There  are 
good  arguments  for  and  against.  As  usually 
made  a  sleeping  bag  consists  of  two  parts:  — 
( i )  a  cover  for  protection  from  rain,  damp- 
ness, and  wind,  and  (2)  a  warm  lining  to  re- 
tain body  heat.  To  its  credit  may  be  enu- 
merated these  facts :  Being  sack-like  the  sleep- 
ing bag  retains  the  heat  within  and  keeps  the 
cold  out.  It  is  easy  to  unroll,  keeps  out  dirt 
and  wind  and  the  contents  may  remain  dry  and 
one  has  full  protection  in  any  kind  of  weather. 

The  objectionable  feature  is  that  the  bag 
cannot  be  drawn  up  closely  to  the  body  and  the 
resulting  air  space  is  difficult  to  warm  up.  It 
is  hard  to  adjust  the  top  to  keep  the  air  from 
the  sleeper's  shoulders  and  the  inevitable  twist- 


108  TOURING  AFOOT 

ing  and  turning  of  the  sleeper  bunches  the 
blanket  up  around  the  limbs. 

A  sleeping  bag  really  is  no  substitute  for  a 
roof  overhead  on  a  rainy  night  as  alluring  ad- 
vertisements would  lead  you  to  believe.  Its 
waterproof  cover  retains  inside  moisture  from 
the  air  and  the  body  exudations  of  the  sleeper 
thereby  adding  appreciably  to  the  blanket's 
weight.  Thus  a  waterproof  cover  is  no  more 
wholesome  to  sleep  in  than  a  rubber  boot  is 
wholesome  for  one's  foot.  In  ordinary  weather 
the  sleeping  bag  is  too  hot  and  in  chilly 
weather  it  is  not  as  warm  as  it  is  supposed  to  be. 
Its  narrow  shape  makes  it  difficult  to  crawl  into 
the  head  end  and  it  is  very  inconvenient  should 
one  need  to  get  up  several  times  a  night  to  fix 
a  night  fire. 

It  is  an  unpleasant  trap  to  be  in  when  a 
squall  springs  up  suddenly  at  night  or  the  tent 
catches  fire.  No  less  famous  an  explorer  than 
Peary  discarded  the  sleeping  bag  for  the  rea- 
son that,  aside  from  its  being  a  weighty  extra 
item  of  outfit,  when  sleeping  in  snow  igloos  he 
was  in  constant  danger  of  a  break  in  the  icy 
floor  from  the  formation  of  pressure  ridges 
and  if  encumbered  in  the  bag  he  would  have  ex- 
tricated himself  with  difficulty.  Quoting  Mr. 
Harry  Whitney — "  On  my  winter  ox  hunt  I 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      109 

started  into  the  Barren  Grounds  with  a  bag  of 
caribou  and  lined  with  rabbit  skin  —  the  very 
warmest  robe  possible,  but  I  ripped  it  open  be- 
fore I  had  been  on  the  road  three  days." 

The  choice  between  a  loose  blanket  bed  and 
the  sleeping  bag  is  a  matter  of  individual  pref- 
erence. If  the  latter  is  chosen  it  should  be 
made  to  air  easily  and  be  easy  of  adjustment 
to  varying  temperatures.  The  permanently 
closed  bag  is  out  of  the  question  as  it  retains  the 
accumulated  condensed  body  moisture.  The 
only  kind  worth  considering  is  one  which  can 
be  easily  opened  and  spread  wide  apart  in  the 
sunlight  or  before  a  fire  every  morning.  The 
bag  should  be  closed  on  all  sides  as  far  up  as 
the  breast  of  the  sleeper  and  the  continuation 
of  the  bag  in  the  shape  of  a  flap  which  can  be 
nicely  tucked  about  the  shoulders. 

Probably  the  best  low  temperature  sleeping 
bag  is  of  caribou  skin  with  the  hair  inside. 
One  lined  with  llama  wool  duffle  is  next  best. 
The  so-called  Arctic  or  Fiala  sleeping  bag  is 
the  lightest  one  available  from  outfitters  in  the 
United  States.  If  one  prefers  this  kind  of  a 
bed  the  tramper  can  find  nothing  so  excellent 
where  the  greatest  amount  of  warmth  with  the 
lightest  possible  weight  is  imperative. 

Made  of  the  soft  body  wool  of  the  South 


110  TOURING  AFOOT 

American  llama  it  is  about  twice  as  light  as  any 
other  wool  of  equal  thickness.  As  sold  by  many 
outfitters  the  cloth  cover  is  waterproof  but  this 
should  not  be.  To  get  the  greatest  warmth  it 
is  necessary  to  have  not  only  the  blanket  porous 
but  the  covering  as  well  so  as  to  throw  off  the 
moisture  which  otherwise  condenses  and  chills 
the  occupant  of  the  bag.  But  the  sleeper  must 
be  insulated  from  the  ground's  cold,  moisture, 
and  wet  and  hence  the  waterproof  browse  bag 
or  thatched  balsam  bed  used  under  the  sleeping 
bag  is  recommended.  Any  blanket  combina- 
tion can  be  made  into  a  serviceable  sleeping  bag 
by  folding  lengthwise  and  securing  one  end  and 
three-fourths  of  one  side  by  blanket  pins  or  by 
sewing. 

You  will  of  course  not  carry  a  mattress  with 
you  on  the  hike  yet  it  is  really  necessary  that 
you  have  some  sort  of  browse  thatching,  water- 
proof sheet  or  pad  to  insulate  you  from  the 
bare  ground.  The  bed  springs  par  excellence 
of  the  woods  are  of  thatched  evergreen  boughs 
or  balsam.  This,  the  trapper's  bough  bed,  is 
largely  poetical  with  campers  in  sections  of  the 
country  where  balsam,  hemlock  or  spruce  are 
not  available.  It  is  difficult  to  make  but  when 
properly  constructed  furnishes  a  mighty  com- 
fortable place  to  lay  tired  muscles  at  night. 


Collect  a  heap  of  boughs  "  about  the  size  of 
a  small  house,"  according  to  Moody,  stripping 
off  the  fans  with  the  hands,  using  only  the 
lighter  tips.  Build  on  the  ground  a  quadrangle 
of  poles  somewhat  larger  than  the  intended  bed 
and  retain  this  in  place  by  ground  stakes.  Be- 
ginning at  the  head  lay  your  larger  fans  convex 
side  up  and  butts  toward  the  foot  much  as  you 
would  shingle  a  house  with  the  bushy  stems 
overlapping.  Over  these  lay  a  similar  cover 
of  the  smaller  fans  with  the  butt  ends  beneath 
the  layer  already  placed,  leaving  the  fan  ends 
curving  up  and  down  toward  the  foot  of  the 
bed.  When  done  place  over  all  the  floorcloth 
and  blankets.  As  the  boughs  get  pressed  down 
and  the  bed  becomes  hard  they  must  be  replen- 
ished. 

The  ground  cloth  is  to  a  tent  what  a  floor 
is  to  a  house.  It  keeps  out  dirt,  vermin,  damp- 
ness and  wind  and  in  cold  or  wet  weather,  be- 
sides being  an  absolute  health  necessity,  it  will 
add  greatly  to  one's  comfort. 

The  ground  beneath  besides  being  wet  and 
cold  is  hard  as  a  board  for  sleeping  purposes, 
hence  some  sort  of  pad  is  needed.  Nothing 
meets  this  requirement  so  well  as  the  so-called 
browse  bag  or  tick.  It  is  preferably  made  of 
waterproof  balloon  silk  or  paraffined  muslin  (a 


112  TOURING  AFOOT 

rubber  blanket  or  poncho  is  too  heavy)  size 
2l/2  by  6l/2  feet  and  weight  i  pound.  It  is 
open  at  the  foot  end  and  at  each  camp  is  stuffed 
with  hay,  grass,  leaves  or  other  browse  dry  or 
wet.  The  bag  weighs  but  little,  takes  up  small 
compass  when  rolled  for  the  pack  and  is  useful 
in  packing.  It  is  quickly  made  into  an  accepta- 
ble bed  mattress  each  night  and  emptied  each 
morning. 

With  the  filled  browse  bag  beneath  you  the 
under  side  is  always  dry  and  warm  and  the 
upper  side  is  attended  to  by  rolling  yourself  up 
in  the  blanket.  For  traveling  through  a  rough 
swampy  country  and  for  mountain  work  this  is 
absolutely  necessary  for  a  restful  sleep. 

The  bag  may  be  composed  of  a  7  by  8  foot 
sheet  with  grommets  3  inches  apart  on  one  end 
and  the  sides  and  when  not  serving  day  duty  as 
a  pack  cloth  or  in  the  emergency  bivouac  as  a 
tarpaulin  leanto  shelter  tent  may  be  worn  like  a 
Mexican  serape  or  rain  blanket  over  the  shoul- 
ders. It  can  be  made  into  a  browse  bag  by  fold- 
ing the  sides  together  and  lacing  the  ends  and 
side  with  a  string  of  number  36  tarpon  line. 
Or  the  tarp  or  shelter  cloth  may  be  laid  over 
a  collected  layer  of  browse  next  to  the  ground. 
With  a  browse  bag  one  can  rig  up  a  good  bed 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      113 

pad  in  much  less  time  than  it  takes  to  shingle 
browse. 

To  sleep  warm  outdoors  the  ground  should 
be  as  dry  and  warm  as  possible.  This  can  be 
accomplished  if  need  be  by  a  fire  built  over  the 
intended  bed  area,  the  embers  raked  away  and 
the  bed  made  thereon.  The  browse  bag  is  then 
filled  and  flattened  over  the  heated  spot.  There 
is  some  knack  in  arranging  your  covers  about 
you  to  fit  snugly  and  keep  out  the  night  cold. 
It  can  be  done  by  a  simple  trick  so  as  to  entirely 
eliminate  the  necessity  of  a  sleeping  bag. 

Lying  flat  on  your  back  on  the  browse  bag 
cover  yourself  with  the  blanket,  kick  up  your 
feet  rigid  from  the  hips  so  as  to  bring  the 
blanket  foot  end  draping  over  and  under  the 
feet,  returning  the  feet  to  the  tick  roll  the  body 
to  the  left  side  and  tuck  the  blanket  edge  under 
your  right  side,  reverse  the  turn  and  do  the 
same  under  your  left  side.  Lower  the  feet, 
wrap  up  the  shoulders  and  go  to  sleep.  The 
blanket  is  now  drawn  about  you  snugly  above 
and  below  and  there  is  no  exposed  side  to  let  in 
the  cold  air  and  in  rolling  over  the  blanket  will 
tighten  about  you. 

In  an  emergency  one  can  sleep  in  most  any 
kind  of  weather  by  following  a  certain  Indian 


114  TOURING  AFOOT 

method.  He  carries  but  one  blanket  but  does 
not  use  it  to  wrap  around  his  body.  If  the 
night  is  not  too  cold  he  lights  a  rather  large 
fire  and  warms  the  earth,  then  he  rakes  away 
the  coals  and  lies  upon  the  bare  warmed  ground 
pulling  the  blanket  over  him.  In  extreme  cold 
in  addition  to  the  above  ground  warming  he 
heats  a  large  stone  before  bedtime,  rolls  it  on 
the  ground,  curls  himself  around  the  mound,  and 
pulls  the  cover  over  him,  lying  with  his  feet  to 
the  fire.  He  neither  wraps  the  blanket  about 
him  nor  lies  upon  it  relying  on  the  warmed 
earth  for  warmth  below. 

On  chilly  nights  in  addition  to  the  heated 
ground  beneath  the  bed  you  can  build  a  big 
camp  fire  six  feet  or  so  in  front  of  your  leanto 
shelter  and  the  heat  will  be  reflected  down  upon 
the  sleeper.  You  must  have  a  windbreak  of 
cloth  leanto,  boughs,  or  rocks.  The  fire  should 
be  kept  going  all  night  and  for  this  one  needs 
a  lot  of  wood,  so  carry  a  larger  chopping  axe  if 
you  are  to  encounter  very  low  temperatures. 
Even  with  this  fire  it  is  hard  for  one  man  to 
keep  warm  and  get  a  good  night's  sleep.  Two 
men,  however,  can  change  off,  watching  the  fire 
and  sleeping. 

The  warmest  and  most  portable  bed  then  is 
in  reality  patterned  after  the  one  of  civilization. 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION      115 

Essentially  it  will  keep  the  sleeper  high  and  dry 
by  means  of  the  waterproofed  cloth  over  browse 
or  the  filled  browse  bag  and  it  will  keep  the  body 
warm  by  the  woolen  blanket  rolled  snugly  about 
you. 


CHAPTER  X 

CHOOSING   THE   LIGHT   WEIGHT   MESS   KIT 

THE  light  weight  mess  kit  combines  the 
fewest  utensils  with  which  a  person  can 
prepare  his  own  meals  from  the  raw 
materials.  It  must  nest  compactly,  have  as  few 
component  parts  as  possible,  be  comfortably 
carried  on  the  person  while  en  route,  contain 
space  for  a  lunch  or  emergency  ration  and  pos- 
sibly have  provision  for  carrying  water.  To 
meet  these  demands  one  may  well  include  the 
following  articles:  — a  fry  pan  (possibly 
rigged  up  as  a  baker  also) ,  a  stew  kettle,  a  cup, 
a  light  fork,  spoon  and  knife  and  a  canteen. 
Most  of  the  so-called  light  weight  individual 
outfits  center  around  the  above  as  the  essentials 
with  variations  in  shape  to  best  suit  the  particu- 
lar outfit  for  easy  nesting. 

The  preparation  of  food  by  frying  is  not  the 
best  thing  for  the  stomach,  for  the  average  bit 
of  fried  stuff  is  enveloped  in  tough  greasy  coat- 
ing. However  most  cooks  use  this  method  to 
some  extent,  so  provision  for  frying  must  be 

116 


CHOOSING  THE  MESS  KIT      117 

made.  The  frying  pan  is  preferably  made  of 
steel  and  in  use  is  to  be  rested  on  a  bed  of  coals 
raked  to  one  side  of  the  cooking  fire.  If  one 
prefers  to  utilize  the  big  open  fire  the  fry  pan 
handle  should  have  a  square  socket  into  which 
one  may  fit  a  stick  to  extend  the  handle,  the 
same  to  be  newly  fashioned  at  each  camp.  For 
the  lightest  kits  use  a  small  No.  o  pan  with  a 
socket. 

The  component  parts  of  any  outfit  will  vary 
according  to  the  condition  and  temperament  of 
the  user  and  the  nature  and  locality  of  experi- 
ence. He  has  to  choose  from  a  multitudinous 
and  confusing  array  of  impedimenta  offered  by 
well  meaning  and  alluring  advertisements. 

The  camper  who  is  choosing  his  light  individ- 
ual mess  kit  has  the  privilege  of  gathering  to- 
gether those  utensils  selected  along  lines  above 
suggested  and  easily  procurable  at  any  store  or 
of  getting  through  the  regular  sporting  goods 
dealers  some  specially  made  kit  whose  greatest 
recommendation  is  compactness  with  lightness 
and  utility.  It  must  have  a  pot  and  a  fry  pan 
and  these  with  a  pocket  or  hunting  knife  and  a 
pointed  or  flat  stick  answer  all  purposes.  One 
must  compromise  between  weight  and  comfort. 

Many  cook  outfits  offered  by  sporting  goods 
houses  are  too  complete  for  a  place  in  the  hik- 


118  TOURING  AFOOT 

er's  kit,  in  fact  their  very  completeness  renders 
them  impractical  because  of  weight,  bulk  and 
the  number  of  utensils  to  be  kept  track  of. 
They  are  made  more  in  answer  to  the  call  of 
city  sportsmen  with  fastidious  trend  of  mind 
who  as  a  rule  favor  more  elaborate  equipage 
throughout. 

In  choosing  a  cooking  outfit  weight  is  the  first 
consideration.  One  does  not  wish  to  carry 
heavy  stove  utensils  nor  are  such  needed.  They 
must  be  strong  enough,  however,  for  hard  serv- 
ice. In  the  second  place  compactness  is  a  desid- 
eratum, for  here  we  must  reduce  bulk.  The 
common  utensils  of  the  shop  will  not  nest  well 
for  they  are  all  spouts,  bail  ears,  handles  and 
cover  knobs.  One  can  reduce  the  bulk  by  get- 
ting such  articles  as  nest  into  one  another.  In 
making  up  the  light  weight  mess  kit  the  nesting 
idea  should  certainly  be  carried  out  but  never 
at  the  cost  of  utility. 

Of  materials  tin  and  iron  are  the  cheapest 
and  they  may  be  light  enough.  Here  their 
merits  end.  Iron  will  rust  and  neither  iron  nor 
tin  will  stand  rough  handling.  Utensils  of  such 
material  are  hard  to  clean  when  greasy  and  if 
the  joints  be  soldered  one  is  kept  in  mortal  fear 
of  their  early  destruction.  The  so-called  ar- 
morsteel  which  is  strong  stamped  steel  with 


CHOOSING  THE  MESS  KIT      119 

heavy  tinning  is  quite  good  if  one  can  get  noth- 
ing better. 

Enamel  ware  is  the  easiest  to  keep  clean  and 
its  poor  heat  conducting  properties  makes  it 
for  some  things  preferable.  It  has  a  tendency 
to  chip  and  flake  under  rough  handling  or  in 
cold  weather.  This  latter  fault  can  be  reme- 
died to  some  extent  by  gradual  warming  of  the 
article  before  exposing  to  fierce  heat.  Enamel 
ware  is  not  much  heavier  than  other  ware  that 
is  sufficiently  strong  for  outdoor  service. 

Aluminum  alloy  is  a  boon  to  the  camper,  it 
being  the  ideal  material  for  certain  outdoor 
utensils.  It  stands  up  in  all  climates  —  tropi- 
cal, frigid  north,  in  use  on  horseback  trips,  in 
canoe  work,  sledging  or  on  the  hike.  It  is 
much  the  lightest  material  we  have.  Any  sport- 
ing goods  dealer  can  supply  you.  The  unal- 
loyed aluminum  is  too  soft  and  easily  bends  out 
of  shape  with  hard  usage  and  dry  heat,  hence  a 
stiffener  is  added  yet  without  appreciable 
change  of  weight.  Aluminum  alloy  has  few 
merits  beyond  lightness:  it  is  a  quick  heat  con- 
ductor, hence  the  cup  had  better  be  of  some 
other  material  such  as  enamel  ware  so  as  to  save 
the  lips  from  blistering.  Also  under  the  appli- 
cation of  dry  heat  to  an  aluminum  fry  pan  the 
food  sticks  and  burns  so  the  fry  pan  is  prefer- 


120  TOURING  AFOOT 

ably  of  light  stamped  steel.  However,  where 
lightness  is  the  great  desideratum  all  parts  of 
the  cooking  kit  should  be  made  of  alum- 
inum alloy. 

The  most  commonly  used  outfit  is  the  one 
mentioned,  consisting  of  fry  pan,  kettle,  cup, 
knife,  fork  and  spoon  with  perhaps  a  canteen. 
The  first  three  articles  represent  the  essential 
components  of  an  ideal  individual  mess  kit  and 
provision  for  these  in  some  shape  or  form  is 
made  in  most  every  mess  kit  combination  you 
will  come  across.  The  above  outfit  I  have  used 
for  years,  gotten  together  in  the  first  place  be- 
cause the  parts  were  easy  to  get  hold  of  and 
then  they  were  retained  because  they  did  the 
work  expected  of  them  —  they  withstood  the 
"  acid  test."  The  large  tin  cup,  Army  pattern, 
I  carried  at  my  belt  where  it  is  easy  to  reach 
and  thus  escaped  the  trouble  to  nest.  In  it  I 
steeped  tea  thus  doing  away  with  a  special  tea- 
pot. The  kettle  of  tin  was  used  for  boiling 
water,  making  stews,  etc.  Its  wire  bail  I  luck- 
ily lost  and  therewith  attached  a  chain  bail 
which  stays  put  when  suspending  the  pot  over 
the  fire  and  it  is  not  cumbersome  when  packing 
away.  The  fry  pan  is  a  small  Number  o  size 
with  socket  for  extension  handle.  It  is  covered 
with  a  tight  fitting  lid  and  thus  does  duty  as  a 


OUTDOOR  BED  QUESTION 

baker.  By  heaping  coals  upon  it  one  gets  the 
envelope  of  hot  air. 

The  United  States  Army  Meat  Can  com- 
bines a  frying  pan  and  baker:  the  deep  bottom 
also  serves  as  a  soup  plate  and  the  lid  as  a  serv- 
ing plate.  When  the  lid  locks  in  place  over  the 
pan  by  the  hinged  handle  it  becomes  a  roomy 
receptacle  for  lunch  carrying  on  the  march,  the 
metal  ring  on  one  end  allows  of  its  attachment 
to  the  soldier's  belt  or  the  whole  thing  can  be 
stored  in  the  pack  sack.  It  is  an  ingenious  con- 
trivance and  ideal  for  the  tramper's  use. 

A  large  aluminum  alloy  tablespoon,  a  small 
steel  fork  and  the  sheath  or  pocket  knife  or  flat 
stick  which  displaces  the  table  knife  completes 
the  kit.  On  certain  trips  where  water  is  scarce- 
I  add  a  second  hand,  felt  covered  Army  canteen. 

Regarding  inspirators,  broilers,  fire  irons  and 
other  clap-traps,  let  it  be  known  that  though 
seemingly  insignificant  they  furnish  more  details 
to  look  after,  but  as  a  rule  they  do  not  possess 
sufficient  advantage  to  pay  for  the  care  and 
labor  of  transporting  on  a  light  trip. 

On  a  hiking  trip  the  combined  fry  pan  and 
baker  will  be  used.  With  this  very  acceptable 
breadstuffs  can  be  coaxed  out  of  camp  fire  heat, 
dough  and  the  frying  pan.  Indeed  in  emer- 
gency the  frying  pan  itself  may  be  discarded 


122  TOURING  AFOOT 

and  in  such  a  contingency  one  can  make  very 
good  bread  by  winding  the  dough  around  a 
cleaned  stick  and  slanting  it  up  by  the  side  of  the 
fire. 

Canteens  are  nearly  always  a  necessity  in 
mountainous  regions  where  your  work  carries 
you  on  the  ridges  high  above  the  valleys  where 
the  streams  are.  In  the  desert  a  special  water 
supply  must  be  planned  for.  In  ordinary  hunt- 
ing or  tramping  trips  the  smaller  Army  canteen 
supplies  the  more  urgent  needs.  Where  the 
water  supply  is  contaminated  it  is  necessary  to 
boil  and  filter  the  water  for  drinking.  This  can 
be  done  at  mealtimes  and  then  cooled  and  car- 
ried in  the  canteen  for  use  on  the  march.  The 
purpose  of  the  felt  covering  of  the  canteen  is  to 
keep  the  contents  cool  by  the  evaporation  from 
the  wetted  felt. 

As  a  rule  one  will,  on  a  light  trip,  carry  no 
folding  grate  or  fire  irons  as  supports  for  uten- 
sils. Rocks,  logs  or  earthen  trenches  will  take 
their  places  and  one  does  not  have  to  tote  them 
around. 

In  choosing  the  hiker's  light  weight  mess  kit 
take  only  those  component  parts  that  are  really 
needed  and  have  these  as  strong,  light  and  com- 
pact as  is  possible. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE   RATION   LIST 

SUPPOSEDLY    the    greatest    privation 
which  will  confront  the  amateur  woods- 
man who  breaks  away  from  home  ties 
for  a  few  weeks'  jaunt  into  the  wilderness  is  a 
gastronomic   one.     Yet  with   a   properly   bal- 
anced ration  list  composed  of  goods  procurable 
of  any  grocer  with  perhaps  the  addition  of  some 
of  the  newer  evaporated  foods  available   on 
special  order  or  made  at  home,  the  hiker  may 
hit  the  trail  confident  that  he  will  be  well  fed. 

The  hackneyed  slogan  of  outfitting,  viz. :  — 
to  secure  the  maximum  in  efficiency  from  sup- 
plies which  represent  a  minimum  in  carrying 
weight  and  bulk  —  must  be  reiterated  in  choos- 
ing the  tramper's  food  supply.  For  those  de- 
manding the  extreme  in  portable  equipage  the 
evaporated  foods  —  vegetables  (as  dried  pota- 
toes, Julienne,  etc.,)  soups  (Erbswurst),  eggs, 
milk,  etc.,  are  invaluable.  In  their  preparation 
by  dessication  the  fresh  vegetables  are  deprived 

123 


TOURING  AFOOT 

of  their  water  content  so  that  all  one  needs  to 
do  in  preparing  them  for  table  use  is  to  add 
water  and  cook  in  the  usual  way.  They  are 
thus  restored  to  their  former  value  as  palatable 
foods  although  of  course  their  form  and  shape 
may  be  altered. 

Their  chief  value  for  our  purpose  is  that  they 
represent  a  tremendous  reduction  (of  approxi- 
mately 15  per  cent)  in  their  natural  weight  and 
a  corresponding  lessening  of  bulk.  For  ex- 
ample a  pound  of  evaporated  potatoes  will  rep- 
resent seven  pounds  of  the  fresh  product.  Or 
again  one  pound  of  granulated  dried  egg  repre- 
sents four  dozen  of  the  fresh  eggs.  Dehy- 
drated goods  are  equal  to  fresh  goods  and  are 
far  superior  to  the  canned  kind.  They  are  pal- 
atable and  nutritious  as  foods,  they  never  spoil 
and  permit  a  welcome  variety  in  the  bill  of  fare. 
Concentration  of  bulk  alone  is  not  the  criterion 
in  choosing  camp  foods  —  digestibility  is  really 
paramount.  Thus  cheese,  nuts,  beans,  rice  and 
the  various  evaporated  foods  are  highly  con- 
centrated but  differ  greatly  in  their  ease  of  di- 
gestion. 

Food  for  the  hiker,  as  we  have  said,  must 
with  the  least  weight  and  bulk  furnish  appetiz- 
ing and  digestible  nourishment  to  an  active  man. 
It  should  be  composed  of  the  proper  proper- 


125 

tions  of  fat,  protein  (which  comprises  the  ele- 
ments of  lean  meat)  and  cereal.  It  should  pack 
easily  under  all  conditions  of  heat,  moisture  and 
rough  handling  and  must  cook  simply. 

The  following  items  are  looked  upon  as  the 
essentials  in  diet  lists  for  campers:  —  flour,  ba- 
con, beans,  tea,  sugar.  They  represent  the 
three  classes  of  foods  necessary  to  health.  For 
increasing  the  palatability  and  variety  of  the  bill 
of  fare  other  items  creep  in  and  they  are  admis- 
sible if  they  represent  in  food  value  and  con- 
centration of  bulk  the  same  as  a  given  amount 
of  the  essential  food  for  which  they  were  sub- 
stituted. 

Bush  life  develops  a  great  appetite,  there- 
fore figure  well  on  the  necessary  amounts  to  be 
packed.  Too  much  means  discomfort  and  fa- 
tigue in  packing  and  too  little  means  hunger  and 
perhaps  privation.  Little  dependence  should 
be  placed  upon  securing  game  or  fish  en  route 
unless  one  is  certain  that  he  is  in  a  country 
where  such  are  present  in  reasonable  abundance 
and  that  there  is  nothing  to  interfere  with  pro- 
curing them. 

In  general  it  may  be  said  that  for  each  week 
about  twenty  pounds  of  food  stuff  are  needed 
per  man.  The  following  proportions  of  the 
various  items  will  be  found  about  right:  — 


126  TOURING  AFOOT 

FOOD  FOR  ONE  MAN  ONE  WEEK 

Wheat    flour    5      pounds 

Corn   meal    4      pounds 

Bacon     5      pounds 

Beans      iY\  pounds 

Sugar      i^4  pounds 

Dried  fruit   i       pound 

Rice     . .' i       pound 

Baking  powde'r   Y$  pound 

Tea     l/4  pound 

Salt   54  pound 

Pepper    small   amount. 

Dried  Egg  substituting  a  portion  of  the  meat  ration. 

Dried  soup  and  vegetables  substituting  a  portion  of  the  bean 
or  flour  ration. 

On  the  trail  count  on  cooking  but  two  meals 
a  day,  morning  and  night  with  a  noon-day  stop 
with  lunch  and  hot  drink.  This  allows  time  for 
a  day's  work. 

Foods  will  keep  well  if  care  is  taken  to  ex- 
clude moisture  by  packing  in  provision  bags  of 
closely  woven  muslin,  size  6  by  10  inches  with 
tie  strings  for  closing  the  open  end.  They  are 
made  waterproof  by  painting  with  paraffin, 
which  has  been  liquefied  in  gasoline.  Mark 
each  bag  well.  They  stow  away  nicely  in  odd 
corners  of  the  pack  sack. 

Bacon  is  the  great  standby  in  the  meat  line. 
Only  the  leanest  should  be  chosen:  trim  off  the 
rind  before  starting  on  the  hike  and  wrap  it  in 
a  piece  of  waterproof  muslin  to  protect  it  from 
other  items  of  the  outfit.  Do  not  seal  it  too 


THE  RATION  LIST  127 

tight  as  it  will  mold.  As  bacon  grease  will  be 
used  instead  of  lard  the  latter  can  be  omitted 
entirely. 

The  flour  ration  should  be  made  up  of  whole 
wheat  or  graham  flour  and  yellow  corn  meal. 
For  a  stimulating  beverage  coffee  is  generally 
preferred  in  the  United  States  and  tea  in  Can- 
ada. The  latter  is  much  easier  to  transport  and 
more  sustaining  to  the  body.  If  properly 
chosen  you  can  eliminate  the  tea  or  coffee  pot 
from  the  camp  outfit.  George  Washington 
coffee  and  Instant  Postum  are  powdered  prepa- 
rations and  all  that  is  needed  is  to  put  a  tea- 
spoonful  in  a  cup  of  hot  water,  stir  up, 
sweeten  and  drink.  If  you  use  tea  get  the  tea 
tabloids  which  are  a  great  convenience  because 
of  their  extreme  compactness.  Sufficient  for 
100  cups  of  good  tea  occupies  only  about  as 
much  space  as  one  or  two  ounces  of  loose  tea 
leaves.  For  use  throw  one  tabloid  into  a  cup  of 
hot  water,  wait  a  minute  and  a  satisfying  infu- 
sion is  the  result.  Tea  in  general  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred, for  an  ounce  of  it  will  go  as  far  as  many 
ounces  of  coffee. 

Dried  fruits  such  as  raisins,  figs,  etc.,  should 
always  be  included  in  the  ration  list.  They 
make  fine  emergency  rations  to  be  carried  in  the 
knapsack  (with  a  cake  of  sweet  chocolate 


128  TOURING  AFOOT 

added.)  Chocolate  beats  whisky  for  putting 
new  energy  into  a  fellow  who  is  all  in.  When 
raisins  are  cooked  up  alone  or  with  rice  one  gets 
an  agreeable  change  in  the  bill  of  fare.  Rice 
is  one  of  the  most  concentrated  foods  we  have, 
it  is  easy  to  pack  and  cook  and  has  great  sus- 
taining powers  as  an  article  of  diet.  It  has  food 
elements  of  such  a  kind  that  it  can  be  taken  in 
place  of  potatoes  or  bulky  breakfast  foods. 
To  cook  rice,  add  gradually  the  washed  kernels 
to  furiously  boiling  salted  water  and  keep  this 
over  the  fire  for  20  minutes.  Powdered  milk 
is  on  the  market  and  is  more  satisfactorily  pur- 
chased than  made  at  home.  It  is  the  milk  of 
choice  when  you  have  to  cut  down  weight  as 
on  a  hike. 

Baking  powder  should  be  pure,  and  it  should 
be  kept  in  air  and  water  tight  containers  and 
sunk  in  the  middle  of  the  flour  sack.  I  keep  it 
in  an  aluminum  flask  with  a  cork  lined  metal 
screw  top.  When  moisture  reaches  baking 
powder  a  chemical  change  takes  place  destroy- 
ing its  leavening  powers  and  it  is  useless  for 
cooking  purposes.  Keep  this  in  mind  in  con- 
sidering self  rising  flours  which  have  the  baking 
powder  mixed  with  the  flour  in  proper  propor- 
tions for  use  and  simply  requiring  the  addition 
of  water  before  cooking. 


THE  RATION  LIST  129 

One  has  a  remarkable  craving  for  sweets 
when  on  the  trail  which  only  sugar  will  satisfy. 
Sugar  is  the  most  concentrated  food  we  have 
for  it  supplies  so  much  heat  and  energy  to  the 
body.  In  cold  weather  Nature  calls  for  more 
heat  in  the  body  and  one's  appetite  for  sweets 
usually  increases  in  proportion.  Much  is  writ- 
ten in  camp  outfitting  concerning  a  preparation 
called  saccharine  or  crystallose  which  is  a  chem- 
ical of  remarkable  sweetness  —  a  small  portion 
of  it  equalling  in  sweetening  power  several  hun- 
dred times  its  bulk  of  sugar.  Do  not  depend 
on  it,  for  its  chemical  action  delays  digestion 
and  it  does  not  furnish  the  food  value  which 
sugar  does. 

DEHYDRATED  NAVY  BEANS 

In  preparing  dried  bean  meal  one  uses  ordi- 
nary navy  beans  which  are  cooked  in  the  usual 
way  and  then  baked  in  an  oven.  By  spreading 
this  product  out  in  a  broad  flat  bottomed  pan 
and  continuing  the  baking  or  drying  out  process 
in  the  oven  the  moisture  is  all  driven  out  and 
only  a  crumbling  crust  remains.  This  is  pul- 
verized and  packed  in  tight  fitting  tins  or  in 
waterproof  sacks.  It  is  used  as  a  soup  or  gruel. 
Common  baked  beans  which  come  in  tins  from 
the  corner  grocer  may  be  put  into  the  broad 


130  TOURING  AFOOT 

bake  tins  and  thoroughly  dried  and  packed 
away.  As  beans  are  hard  to  boil  in  high  alti- 
tudes you  can  prepare  them  at  home  by  par- 
boiling without  salt  in  the  water,  drying  well 
and  later  using  by  cooking  as  usual  in  salted 
water. 

JERKED  MEATS 

In  the  palmy  days  of  the  "  late  lamented  wild 
west "  the  Indian  hunters  preserved  meats  by  a 
method  called  "  jerking."  The  flesh  would  be 
cut  into  strips  and  laid  on  light  wooden  racks  in 
the  sun  or  in  the  smoke  of  a  camp  fire  until 
dry  and  hard.  This  would  be  packed  away  and 
used  in  the  winter  time  much  the  same  as  we 
use  the  dried  beef  of  the  butcher  shops  of  today. 
You  can  preserve  meats  —  steaks,  game,  or  fish 
—  this  way  or  after  the  improved  method  of 
Dr.  Hornaday  of  the  New  York  Zoological 
Garden.  He  takes  meat  cut  into  strips  and 
works  well  into  the  flesh  a  mixture  of  salt  i 
pound,  allspice  i1/^  tablespoonsful  and  black 
pepper  il/2  tablespoonsful.  Then  he  hangs  it 
up  by  a  string  in  the  sun  if  the  air  is  dry  as  in 
the  mountains  or,  if  not,  in  a  camp  fire  smoke 
protected  from  the  wet.  It  can  be  eaten  un- 
cooked and  tastes  fine  after  a  month  or  so  has 
passed. 


THE  RATION  LIST  131 

ERBSWURST 

One  of  the  best  concentrated  foods  for  camp- 
ers and  one  admirably  suited  for  use  as  an  emer- 
gency ration  is  Erbswurst  —  a  meal  prepara- 
tion used  by  various  European  armies.  As  it 
is  hard  to  get  except  from  grocers  of  the  larger 
cities  or  sporting  goods  dealers  one  can  well 
make  it  at  home  as  follows :  —  Procure  common 
dried  peas  and  navy  beans  and  dessicate  them 
after  cooking  as  suggested  above  (see  para- 
graph on  Dehydrated  Navy  Beans).  Of  the 
pea  meal  use  one  pound;  of  the  bean  meal  ij4 
pounds;  bacon  chopped  fine  and  dried,  and 
onions  pulverized,  of  each  J/g  pound.  Mix  all 
together  and  run  through  the  grinder  again,  dry 
and  pack  away.  It  is  used  to  make  a  thick  soup 
and  is  very  nutritious. 

EVAPORATED  EGG  POWDER 

Probably  the  most  remarkable  dried  food  of 
all  is  the  evaporated  egg.  Take  l/2  dozen  eggs 
and  beat  them  up  hard  with  an  egg  beater. 
Take  two  flat  bottomed  baking  pans  from  the 
kitchen  and  spread  a  very  thin  layer  of  egg 
thereon.  Now  in  drying  should  you  put  this 
in  the  oven  it  will  cook  whereas  if  simply  set  in 
the  sun  during  the  day  the  moisture  is  evapo- 


132  TOURING  AFOOT 

rated  and  a  crust  of  the  essential  elements  re- 
taining all  the  nourishment  and  flavor  of  the  egg 
remains.  True  the  product  is  shapeless  as  far 
as  the  ordinary  conception  of  an  egg  is  con- 
cerned but  it  is  very  effective  for  cooking  where 
weight  and  fragility  in  packing  are  concerned. 
After  the  eggs  have  been  in  the  sun  all  day  re- 
move indoors  and  if  dry  run  through  a  cleaned 
coffee  mill.  This  pulverizes  the  mass.  It 
should  next  be  completely  dried  out  in  the  sun 
and  packed  away  in  empty  molasses  tins  with 
pry  up  lids. 

A  pound  of  evaporated  egg  equals  four 
dozen  fresh  eggs  and  one  tablespoonful  of  egg 
powder  with  two  tablespoonsful  of  water  repre- 
sents an  egg.  It  is  useful  in  omelets,  scrambled 
or  in  combination  cooking.  Besides  being  a 
great  saving  in  weight  since  one  does  not  have 
to  carry  around  the  water,  the  evaporated  prep- 
aration enables  us  to  utilize  eggs  on  the  hard- 
est kind  of  a  hike  where  if  we  were  forced  to 
use  fresh  eggs  their  place  in  the  knapsack  would 
be  positively  prohibited  because  of  their  fra- 
gility. 

PEMMICAN 

When  much  fat  is  required  for  the  body  as 
in  colder  regions  no  food  has  been  found  to 


THE  RATION  LIST  133 

surpass  Pemmican.  Peary  says :  —  "  Pemmi- 
can  is  the  most  concentrated  and  satisfactory  of 
all  meat  foods  and  is  absolutely  indispensable 
on  long  Arctic  sledge  journeys."  For  a  ten 
pound  lot  take  of  lean  meat, 5  pounds ; fat  (suet) 
4  pounds;  dried  fruit  (raisins)  y2  pound  and  of 
sugar  YZ  pound.  Cut  the  meat  in  thin  slices, 
dry  several  days  as  directed  under  "  Jerked 
Meats."  Pulverize  between  two  stones  or  oth- 
erwise grind  and  mix  well  with  the  suet,  melted, 
to  a  paste,  add  the  ground  currants  or  raisins 
and  sugar,  allow  to  cool  and  pack  away.  Eat 
raw,  boiled  with  flour  or  fry. 

LEMONADE  POWDER 

This  makes  an  agreeable  lunch  drink  and  is 
really  necessary  to  keep  the  system  in  good 
order.  Take  the  clear  juice  of  three  lemons 
and  15  teaspoonfuls  of  sugar  and  put  into  a 
broad,  flat  baking  pan.  Since  so  much  water 
is  to  be  evaporated  it  is  best  to  dry  this  out  in 
an  oven,  but  prolonged  exposure  to  a  hot  sun 
will  do  the  trick.  The  lemon  powder  should 
be  perfectly  dry  and  then  pulverized  and  stored 
in  pry  up  tins.  For  use  put  the  powder  in 
water  to  the  desired  strength.  The  addition  of 
citric  acid  crystals  in  small  amounts  is  a  help, 
but  when  relied  upon  alone  to  make  lemonade, 


134  TOURING  AFOOT 

as  recommended  by  some  writers,  will  not  make 
a  drink  which  takes  the  place  of  the  concen- 
trated lemon  except  as  to  taste. 

BREADS 

Bread  is  the  staff  of  life.  Just  as  good  bread 
can  be  baked  in  the  woods  as  in  the  best  hotel 
of  the  boulevards.  The  baking  of  camp  bread 
can  be  taken  as  a  criterion  of  the  amateur  cook's 
ability.  Have  a  good  baker,  a  good  fire  and 
follow  the  recipe  if  you  would  have  success. 
On  back  pack  trips  it  is  advisable  to  retain  the 
frying  pan  as  the  baker  and  by  using  a  tin  cover 
you  can  heap  coals  upon  it  and  get  the  envelope 
of  hot  air.  Lay  two  green  chunks  or  two 
square  edged  stones  about  6  to  8  inches  apart 
near  the  camp  fire.  Rake  a  few  coals  between 
and  place  the  pan  over  them.  Put  the  dough 
in  the  pan  after  sprinkling  with  flour  and  cover 
with  the  tin.  Place  live  coals  on  this  tin  — 
about  twice  as  many  as  underneath  —  and  watch 
the  baking  closely  so  that  it  won't  burn.  You 
can  fry  bread  on  the  top  of  stone:  when  one 
side  is  baked  stand  the  pan  on  edge  by  the  side 
of  the  stone  and  allow  baking  to  proceed  in  that 
way. 

Remember  that  small  cakes  and  biscuits  must 
be  baked  quickly  before  a  hot  fire  whereas 


THE  RATION  LIST          135 

large  loaves,  such  as  johnny  cake,  must  have  a 
slow  even  heat  so  as  to  get  done  through.  The 
secret  of  the  camp  oven  is  the  envelope  of  hot 
air  which  must  not  be  too  hot  and  must  be  kept 
even.  Below  are  given  the  recipes  which  are 
most  successfully  used  with  the  frying  pan  baker. 
Whole  wheat  flour  makes  easier  than  white 
and  has  more  taste.  Use  yellow  corn  meal. 
In  the  recipes  follow  exactly  to  obtain  the  best 
results. 

SELF-RISING  FLOUR 

To  save  packing  several  ingredients  sepa- 
rately it  is  often  recommended  to  mix  the 
johnny  cake  and  pan  cake  flour  at  home  and 
carry  it  in  one  sack  on  the  trail.  Then  merely 
mixing  with  water  to  a  given  consistency  will  be 
sufficient  to  supply  a  good  dough.  If  dampness 
is  kept  from  it  while  packing  it  is  very  good  and 
the  following  recipe  will  be  found  satisfactory: 
—  take  of  granulated  yellow  corn  meal  I  quart, 
of  white  wheat  flour  i  pint,  sugar  y2  cup,  salt 
i  teaspoonful  and  baking  powder  4  teaspoons- 
ful.  For  flapjacks  in  camp  take  a  portion  of 
the  above  flour  mixture  and  add  sufficient  water 
to  make  a  stiff  batter  and  allow  it  to  stand  for  a 
few  minutes  before  dropping  it  in  spoonfuls  on 
the  hot  greased  fry  pan:  when  bubbles  begin 


136  TOURING  AFOOT 

to  show  on  top  turn.  To  make  a  johnny  cake 
or  corn  bread  use  less  water  than  above  so  as 
to  make  a  doughy  mass,  turn  into  the  fry  pan, 
set  up  before  the  fire  and  leave  until  the  top 
sets,  then  turn  over. 

A  method  for  corn  pone  in  which  the  ingredi- 
ents are  mixed  at  each  baking:  —  i  pint  of  wa- 
ter in  a  pail  is  brought  to  a  boil,  add  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  salt,  corn  meal  is  slowly  added  and  stirred 
to  a  mush,  cooking  it  for  a  few  minutes. 
Grease  the  fry  pan,  put  in  the  mush,  cover  with 
tin,  bury  in  the  ashes  and  coals,  and  bake  30  to 
40  minutes.  This  makes  the  finest  kind  of 
breadstuff. 

ARMY  BREAD 

This  is  easy  to  mix,  is  made  without  grease, 
keeps  fresh  for  a  long  period  and  will  not  dry 
up  or  mold.  It  is  good  to  eat  when  cold  and 
is  just  the  thing  when  laying  in  a  supply.  For 
routine  diet  it  is  much  better  than  biscuit.  Take 
of  flour  i  quart,  salt  i  teaspoonful,  sugar  i 
tablespoonful,  and  baking  powder  2  heaping 
teaspoonfuls.  Mix  in  \]/2  pints  of  cold  water 
to  make  a  thick  batter  and  pour  out  level  into 
a  pan.  Bake  45  minutes  or  until  a  sliver  will 
not  stick  into  the  dough. 


THE  RATION  LIST  137 

FISH 

One  of  the  delights  of  camp  life  is  in  estrang- 
ing one's  self  from  the  fastidious  customs  of 
civilization  and  living  off  the  country  where  you 
camp.  A  fine  pastime  and  diet  change  is  the 
catching  and  eating  of  fish.  The  lakes  and 
streams  of  the  outdoors  abound  with  fish  which 
when  caught  in  the  icy  water  and  cooked  over 
a  camp  fire  in  the  open  makes  a  welcome  addi- 
tion to  the  hiker's  bill  of  fare.  Trout  are  easily 
cooked.  Black  bass  are  good  if  the  water 
where  you  catch  them  is  cold.  Pike  is  the  best 
American  food  fish.  They  should  be  left  un- 
cleaned  never  longer  than  one-half  day  after 
catching,  never  leave  in  water  and  don't  wash 
until  just  before  cooking.  Roll  in  cornmeal, 
have  plenty  of  bacon  fat  in  the  fry  pan  and  cook 
slowly.  Try  with  the  tine  of  fork  to  see  if 
done. 

For  digestible  frying  use  a  shallow  pan  and 
little  grease,  heat  the  pan  and  grease  just  enough 
to  keep  the  meat  from  sticking.  The  meat  must 
be  dry  or  it  will  absorb  the  grease.  Cook  quick 
at  first  to  seal  in  the  juices  and  turn  frequently; 
do  not  jab  too  much  with  fork  for  that  would 
let  the  juice  escape. 


138  TOURING  AFOOT 

The  seasoned  hiker  is  little  apt  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  his  outfit,  but  it  can  and  sometimes 
is  done  and  then  one  must  be  able  to  cope  with 
a  real  emergency.  Every  individual  outfit 
should  contain  emergency  food.  It  is  a  safe 
plan  never  to  become  separated  from  your  party 
without  an  emergency  ration  with  you  and  ma- 
terials for  securing  game  and  fish  if  such  abound 
in  the  region. 


CHAPTER  XII 

HEALTH  HINTS  FOR  HIKERS 
CARE  OF  THE  FEET 

THE  conditioning  of  the  feet  will  be  done 
while  as  a  pedestrian  you  are  preparing 
for  some  long  hike.     Curative  meas- 
ures for  foot  maladies  then  are  to  be  undertaken 
at  home.     In  caring  for  the  feet  a  definite  toilet 
routine  should  be  established  and  adhered  to 
in  order  to  keep  these  worthy  members  in  a 
shape  fit  to  do  the  work  expected  of  them. 

In  the  morning  before  starting  dust  talcum,' 

equal  parts  of  talcum  and  zinc  stearate,  or  the 

United   States   Army  foot  powder  inside  the 

Stocking  or  smear  over  the  foot  a  medicated 

ointment,  oil  or  vaseline. 

On  a  long  tramp  should  the  feet  become  ten- 
der one  may  well  at  the  noon  rest  change  socks 
and  substitute  dry  ones  or  at  least  beat  the  worn 
socks  with  a  stick  to  straighten  out  any  wrinkles 
that  may  have  formed,  then  dry  them  as  well 

as  you  can. 

139 


140  TOURING  AFOOT 

In  the  evening  attend  to  washing  the  feet  and 
legs  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  march.  Cool 
water  seems  best  to  allay  the  sensation  of  heat 
and  irritability  resulting  from  their  forcible  im- 
pact on  the  road.  Use  very  little  soap  if  any 
and  dry  the  feet  well  with  a  soft  towel  and  apply 
friction  gently  until  the  skin  is  red. 

If  there  is  any  tendency  toward  rawness  of 
the  skin  add  common  salt  to  the  bathing  water. 
Weston,  the  famous  pedestrian,  when  asked 
what  special  preparation  of  the  feet  he  made 
before  his  long  record-breaking  walks  said  that 
he  "  pickled  his  feet  in  a  strong  solution  of  com- 
mon rock  salt  —  the  kind  used  for  ice  cream 
making  —  at  the  temperature  of  the  body. 
Souse  and  soak  the  feet  at  bedtime.  Then  dry 
and  if  available  souse  them  with  extract  of 
witch  hazel  which  is  allowed  to  dry  on." 

A  tendency  toward  sweaty  feet  is  natural 
with  certain  individuals.  The  sweat  glands  are 
simply  over-active  and  the  secretion  easily  de- 
composes and  is  highly  offensive.  The  result- 
ing softening  of  the  skin  permits  of  its  rubbing 
off  easily,  and  abrasions  and  blisters  are  apt  to 
form.  The  treatment  should  be  applied  as 
soon  as  there  is  any  sign  of  the  trouble  and  is 
as  follows:  Bathe  the  feet  in  cool  water  and 
carefully  dry  them.  Then  paint  with  commer- 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         141 

cial  formalin  i  part  and  water  9  parts  and  if 
this  causes  a  burning  of  any  portion  of  the  raw 
skin  wash  it  off  with  water.  If  formalin  is  not 
at  hand  a  strong  tea  infusion  or  tannic  acid  so- 
lution will  work  as  well.  The  object  is  to 
harden  and  practically  tan  the  superficial  layers 
of  the  skin  and  alter  the  secretions  of  the  sweat 
glands.  Repeat  the  above  every  other  day  for 
six  days.  Then  dust  with  the  Army  Foot  Pow- 
der. 

U.  S.  ARMY  FOOT  POWDER 

Salicylic   acid    3  parts 

Powdered   starch    10  parts 

Talcum  powder    87  parts 

This  is  antiseptic,  astringent  and  soothing. 

Under  a  combination  of  dampness  and  heat 
the  skin  becomes  soft  and  tender  and  is  apt  to 
become  blistered  and  abraded.  Unaccustomed 
exercise  and  ill  fitting  shoes  are  responsible  for 
most  of  the  blisters  which  develop  on  the  foot, 
usually  on  the  heels  and  toes.  They  constitute 
the  most  serious  troubles  with  which  the  ama- 
teur pedestrian  will  have  to  contend,  especially 
those  with  a  soft  skin  and  sweaty  feet.  On  a 
long  hike  the  condition  should  have  been  averted 
by  the  toughening  treatment  at  home  as  out- 
lined above.  In  blistering  the  skin  is  raised  and 
filled  with  a  collection  of  watery  serum.  The 


142  TOURING  AFOOT 

fluid  must  be  evacuated  and  the  skin  left  intact 
as  a  protective  cover  during  the  healing  process. 
Remove  the  fluid  by  passing  a  needle,  which  has 
been  heated  until  red,  obliquely  through  the 
sound  skin  at  the  edge  of  the  blister,  withdraw 
and  allow  the  fluid  to  escape.  In  the  case  of 
very  large  blisters  use  a  needle  and  thread  and 
sterilize  by  boiling.  Pass  through  the  blister 
and  snip  off  the  ends  of  the  thread  to  within  y± 
inch  of  the  blister  and  leave  it  to  act  as  a  drain. 
Cover  all  with  a  soft  clean  cloth  until  the  serum 
is  all  out  then  cover  with  adhesive  plaster.  One 
can  thus  continue  walking  without  pain  and  rely 
upon  complete  recovery  in  a  couple  of  days. 

Abrasions  are  blisters  with  skin  removed,  due 
to  rubbing  of  the  shoes  in  walking  and  they  are 
very  painful  because  of  the  access  of  air  upon 
the  exposed  nerves  of  the  true  skin.  Small 
abrasions  may  be  washed  clean  and  dried,  cov- 
ered with  an  adhesive  strip,  and  dismissed. 
Larger  ones  may  need  to  be  cleaned  and  treated 
with. some  antiseptic  ointment  and  covered  with 
absorbent  cotton  and  adhesive.  The  secret  is 
to  prevent  them  in  the  first  place  by  proper  foot 
care,  and  if  started  to  examine  and  treat  them 
from  time  to  time  to  prevent  their  enlargement. 

A  corn  is  a  circumscribed  thickness  of  skin  at 
a  point,  usually  on  a  toe,  where  there  is  pres- 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         148 

sure  and  friction  between  a  bony  prominence 
and  the  shoe.  It  is  similar  to  a  callus  but  dif- 
fers from  the  latter  in  having  a  central  peg  or 
core  projection  inward  toward  the  bone  and  by 
pressing  on  fine  nerves  producing  pain.  The 
pain  stops  when  the  outside  pressure  is  removed. 
If  the  corn  is  between  two  toes  where  it  be- 
comes macerated  by  heat  and  moisture  it  is 
called  a  "  soft  corn." 

In  treating  a  corn  the  cause  must  be  remedied 
and  this  usually  consists  in  getting  footwear 
with  plenty  of  "toe  room,"  thus  relieving  the 
pressure.  For  cure  the  callosity  must  be  soft- 
ened and  removed.  If  the  corn  is  not  severe 
simply  softening  by  soaking  in  hot  soapy  water 
and  paring  with  a  razor-sharp  knife  blade  will 
often  suffice.  To  remove  corns:  (i)  Wash 
the  foot  well  at  bedtime.  Soak  for  ten  min- 
utes in  hot  soapy  water  which  will  soften  a 
corn  so  it  will  appear  white.  (2)  Wipe  dry. 
(3)  Apply  corn  medicine.  The  chief  ingredi- 
ent of  most  of  the  advertised  corn  cures  is 
salicylic  acid  and  a  convenient  preparation  is 
made  by  your  druggist  as  follows : 

CORN  COLLODION 

Salicylic    acid    n  parts 

Extract   Cannibis   Indica    2  parts 

Alcohol    10  parts 

Flexible   collodion    77  parts 


144  TOURING  AFOOT 

Apply  with  a  wisp  of  cotton  twisted  on  a  match 
or  toothpick,  dip  in  solution  and  paint  on  the 
corn  and  allow  to  dry.  Repeat  the  above 
nightly  for  four  times.  (4)  On  the  fourth 
night  the  corn  should  be  dead  and  whitish  in 
color.  After  washing  pare  around  the  edge  of 
the  corn  with  a  knife  blade  and  lift  the  core 
out  in  one  piece,  including  all  of  the  thickened 
tissue  down  to  the  quick.  The  result  is  a  com- 
plete cure  if  the  attachments  of  the  corn  are 
taken  out  all  at  once. 

Soft  corns  must  be  treated  the  same  as  hard 
ones :  soften  the  corn  tissue  so  it  will  come  away 
without  pain.  Preferably  here  one  should  use 
an  ointment  instead  of  collodion;  salicylic  acid 
40  parts,  vaseline  30  parts  and  lanolin  30  parts. 
Smear  this  over  the  corns  and  keep  the  toes 
apart  with  absorbent  cotton.  Remove  the 
cause. 

Because  they  are  so  common  foot  injuries 
must  not  be  resigned  to  as  inevitable.  Preven- 
tion is  simple  and  the  rewards  to  the  tramper 
adequate. 

HYGIENE  OF  CAMP  LIFE 

As  pertains  to  normal  life  anywhere  the  hiker 
must  observe  the  accepted  precepts  of  hygiene  in 
order  to  derive  the  greatest  benefit  from  his 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         145 

health  giving  pastime.  The  feet  must  be  kept 
sound  as  emphasized  in  the  foregoing,  the 
stomach  and  bowels  normal  and  temperance  in 
all  things  strictly  observed.  Our  aim  is  not  to 
train  and  diet  for  record  breaking  feats,  but  to 
develop  a  reasonable  endurance  and  become 
healthy. 

As  soon  as  is  possible  after  a  walk  rub  down 
with  a  wet  towel  and  friction  to  a  glow  with  a 
dry  towel :  this  is  very  refreshing  and  quickly 
dispels  stiffness.  While  walking  produces  a 
good  appetite,  eating  and  drinking  must  be  mod- 
erately indulged  in  after  a  long  walk,  just  satis- 
fying the  pangs  of  hunger  else  you  will  lack 
energy  instead  of  gaining  it.  Be  careful  not 
to  become  overheated:  in  cold  weather  ease  up 
near  the  end  of  the  journey  to  cool  off  gradually 
and  thus  prevent  chill. 

MEDICAL  AND  SURGICAL  KIT 

No  wilderness  adventurer  should  hit  the  trail 
without  a  knowledge  of  a  few  principles  in  the 
treatment  of  medical  and  surgical  ills  and  he 
should  always  be  equipped  with  a  simple  com- 
pact first  aid  kit.  This  should  contain  an 
emergency  wound  packet  such  as  is  issued  our 
Army  and  consisting  of  the  following  —  a  pad 
of  sterile  gauze  and  a  triangular  bandage  so 


146  TOURING  AFOOT 

arranged  as  to  be  suitable  for  use  as  a  wound 
dressing  on  any  part  of  the  body:  an  ounce  of 
absorbent  cotton  is  useful  (a)  to  filter  bad 
water  —  boil  the  latter  and  pour  through  cot- 
ton held  in  the  cleansed  hands;  (b)  as  a  dress- 
ing for  wounds;  (c)  a  small  tuft  may  be 
wrapped  about  a  toothpick  and  used  to  swab 
foreign  particles  from  the  eye.  Z  O  Adhesive 
Plaster  (one  inch  by  five  yards)  is  used  on  the 
feet  to  prevent  and  treat  abrasions  and  blisters, 
over  finger  cuts,  to  mend  fish  rods,  etc.  Take 
a  collapsible  tube  of  vaseline  or  boric  acid  oint- 
ment for  chapped  lips;  compound  cathartic  pills 
for  bowel  regulation;  aspirin  tablets,  5  grains 
each  to  be  used  one  every  four  hours  for  grippe, 
colds  and  rheumatism;  sun  cholera  tablets  for 
pain  and  cramps  in  the  stomach  and  bowels  — 
one  every  hour  for  four  doses  and  in  diarrhoea 
one  after  each  bowel  movement;  and  mosquito 
dope. 

INSECT  PESTS 

Throughout  the  early  season  until  near 
August  first  mosquitoes,  gnats,  deer  and  black 
flies  are  to  be  reckoned  with.  The  vicious 
black  fly  keeps  one  awake  until  late  in  the  after- 
noon, the  midges  appear  about  sunset,  the  deer 
fly  most  all  the  time,  and  the  mosquito  mainly 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         147 

at  bedtime.  Mosquitoes  are  worse  the  further 
South  (in  the  tropics  insects  form  the  worst  im- 
pediment to  travel)  or  North  (even  to  the 
bleak  mountain  tops  above  timber  line)  you  go. 
The  querulous  sing  song,  poisoned  sting  and 
thirst  for  blood  makes  of  them  a  real  obstacle 
to  the  successful  enjoyment  of  a  trip.  Even 
one  can  keep  you  awake  for  hours.  The 
amount  of  annoyance  depends  somewhat  on  the 
person's  makeup,  some  being  very  susceptible 
while  others  are  not.  You  can  miss  the  pest  by 
the  choice  of  a  good  season.  August  finds  them 
greatly  lessened  in  numbers  hence  this  is  the  best 
month  in  which  to  go  camping. 

For  preventing  their  vicious  assaults  a  head- 
net  fitting  down  over  the  shoulders  with  strings 
under  the  arms  is  often  useful  when  you  are 
about  camp  but  as  you  look  through  the  cloth 
when  walking  in  the  woods  the  landscape  as- 
sumes prismatic  aspects.  Mosquito  bar  is  too 
fragile  and  bobbinet  too  expensive  while  cheese- 
cloth net  with  a  mica  or  celluloid  window  is 
quite  satisfactory.  Wear  gauntlet  gloves  for 
hands. 

Nine  out  of  ten  persons  sleep  in  open  camps 
and  as  the  average  tent  is  not  insect  proof  we 
must  employ  certain  measures  to  protect  us. 
To  drive  the  pests  away  a  smudge  of  green 


148  TOURING  AFOOT 

grass  and  twigs  on  a  well  started  fire  is  a  spe- 
cific but  requires  attention  to  keep  it  up. 

A  tent  may  be  made  fly  proof  by  having  a 
cheesecloth  interior  which  is  an  exact  replica  in 
shape  of  the  tent,  the  body  very  loose  and 
voluminous  and  no  openings  except  when  the 
sides  are  raised.  It  is  suspended  by  cords  and 
tapes  and  is  absolutely  protective. 

The  insect  repellents  used  as  body  applica- 
tions consist  usually  of  some  essential  oil  in- 
corporated in  a  lasting  base  of  thick  oil  or  salve 
which  establishes  a  durable  glaze  over  the  skin, 
preventing  too  rapid  evaporation  of  the  oil  by 
the  body  heat.  These  "  dopes  "  do  not  injure 
the  skin  a  bit  and  the  slight  discomfort  they 
may  cause  is  compensated  for  by  the  immunity 
established.  In  mildly  infested  districts  oil  of 
citronella  applied  to  the  skin  will  suffice,  but 
where  they  come  at  you  in  swarms  a  glaze  on 
the  skin  is  needed  to  hold  the  essential  oil  for 
more  continued  use.  The  following  formulae 
are  successful: 

NESSMUKS  DOPE 

No.  i.  No.  2. 

Pine    Tar    3  oz.       Pine   Tar    i  oz. 

Castor    Oil    2  oz.       Oil    Pennyroyal    i  oz. 

Oil   Pennyroyal    i  oz.       Vaseline    3  oz. 

Phenol    3  oz. 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         149 

No.  3. 

Oil   Citronella    i       oz. 

Spirits   camphor    i       oz. 

Oil    Cedar    %  oz. 

WOUND  TREATMENT 

The  first  thing  is  to  stop  the  bleeding  by 
simple  pressure  with  the  cleaned  finger  over  the 
bleeding  part  or  applications  of  hot  water 
cloths.  Once  a  clean  clot  is  formed  don't  de- 
stroy it.  Never  use  the  homely  cobwebs  to  stop 
bleeding  as  they  reek  with  germs  of  blood  poi- 
son. The  second  important  step  is  to  exclude 
pus  germs.  They  are  fewer  in  the  woods  than 
in  the  city,  but  we  must  be  exceedingly  careful. 
Wash  the  injured  part  well  in  hot,  soapy  water 
then  rinse  with  water  that  has  been  boiled  and 
cooled.  Apply  the  First  Aid  wound  dressing. 
If  the  wound  is  inflamed  and  discharging  pus 
clean  as  well  as  possible  and  keep  the  dressing 
wet  with  cooled  boiled  water,  reapplying  every 
three  hours  or  sufficiently  to  keep  the  dressings 
wet.  On  a  non-inflamed  wound  simply  apply 
the  Firs.t  Aid  dressing  which  is  sterile  and  de- 
void of  germs. 

In  a  sprain  the  ligaments  become  bruised  or 
torn,  there  is  loss  of  function  and  pain  with  in- 
flammation. Pour  hot  water  on  the  injured 
joint  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  repeating  every  two 


150  TOURING  AFOOT 

or  three  hours  for  a  day.  (If  no  receptacle  is 
at  hand  to  heat  water  in  fill  a  hollow  rock,  log, 
or  waterproof  cloth  pocket  with  water,  heat  a 
stone  in  camp  fire  and  put  in  water  for  heating.) 
Bandage  the  joint  and  keep  applying  hot  water. 
Keep  the  limb  elevated.  When  the  swelling 
goes  down  rub  the  skin  with  oil  or  grease, 
gently  massaging  the  injured  parts.  Don't 
over  exercise  so  as  to  reinjure  the  torn  liga- 
ments. Walking  off  a  sprain  won't  cure  it,  in 
fact  only  prolongs  recovery. 

In  a  dislocation  besides  the  ligaments  being 
torn  the  bone  is  out  of  place  at  a  joint  causing 
the  affected  limb  to  be  shorter  or  longer  than 
its  mate.  Study  how  the  bone  slipped  from  its 
socket,  for  you  must  reverse  the  movements  oc- 
curring at  the  time  of  accident  in  order  to  reduce 
the  dislocation. 

A  fracture  is  a  severe  malady  because  a  con- 
dition of  shock  is  usually  present.  The  affected 
part  is  painful,  the  contour  of  limb  is  changed, 
a  grating  (crepitation)  is  felt  and  heard  when 
the  broken  ends  are  rubbed  together.  The  ends 
are  often,  by  muscular  action,  drawn  out  of  posi- 
tion so  that  they  overlap.  Overcome  this 
muscle  tension  by  steady  pulling  of  the  two 
broken  parts  in  opposite  directions  until  the 
ends  meet  in  proper  relation  to  one  another 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         151 

(this  is  imperative).  Hold  them  in  place  by 
laying  splints  of  bark  or  sticks  entirely  around 
the  break  (interposing  padding  of  soft  material 
next  the  skin)  and  bandage  all  in  place.  If  the 
parts  are  swelled  apply  cold  water.  Healing 
requires  weeks  for  a  good  result. 

A  rather  heroic  measure  was  resorted  to  by 
Chas.  F.  Loomis  on  his  long  hike  from  Ohio 
to  California.  Having  fractured  his  right  arm 
so  badly  that  the  bone  protruded  (a  "  com- 
pound "  fracture)  and  being  alone  in  a  desert 
he  gave  his  canteen  strap  two  flat  turns  about 
the  wrist,  buckled  it  around  a  cedar  tree, 
mounted  a  nearby  rock,  set  his  heels  on  the  edge 
and  threw  himself  backward.  He  fainted  but 
the  bone  was  set.  Then  he  rigged  up  splints 
and  walked  52  miles  before  tasting  food,  then 
finished  the  700  mile  tramp  to  Los  Angeles 
with  his  broken  arm  in  a  bandanna. 

Those  few  hardy  pedestrians  who  may  ven- 
ture to  indulge  in  winter  walks  are  subject  to 
having  the  extremities  freeze  although  if  they 
understand  the  essentials  of  keeping  warm  in 
winter  they  may  avert  such  troubles.  The  ef- 
fects of  heat  and  cold  are  about  the  same;  they 
both  cause  a  loss  of  blood  to  the  tissues  which 
when  thus  deprived  of  heat  and  nourishment  are 
on  the  way  to  mortification.  The  object  of 


153  TOURING  AFOOT 

treatment  is  to  restore  circulation,  gradually. 
Use  cold  baths  in  a  cold  room  then  gradually 
warming  same  up  to  the  temperature  of  the 
body.  Wrap  the  frozen  limb  up  well  with  wet 
cloths  for  the  first  few  days. 

Drowning.  A  strenuous  effort  should  be 
made  to  restore  breathing  in  the  apparently 
drowned  and  so  do  not  consider  your  attempt 
as  futile  until  you  have  thoroughly  employed 
the  method  suggested  below  for  two  hours. 
You  first 

(a)  Get  the  water  out  of  the  patient's  lungs 
by  loosening  all  his  clothes,  laying  him  on  his 
stomach  and  turn  his  face  to  one  side.     Now 
standing  astride  of  his  hips  grasp  him  about  the 
waist  and  raise  the  hips  so  that  the  head  and 
feet  touch  the  ground  in  order  that  the  water 
may  gravitate  out  of  the  lungs. 

(b)  Again  laying  the  patient  on  his  stomach, 
head  turned  aside  and  with  his  arms  extended 
above  his  head  he  is  given  artificial  respiration 
after  the  so-called  Schaefer  or  prone  method 
as  follows: 

(c)  Lung  Compression.     You  kneel  on  the 
ground  straddling  the  patient's  hips  and  facing 
his  head.     Place  your  hands  so  that  the  little 
finger  closes  over  the  end  of  the  lowest  rib  and 
the  heel  of  your  hands  so  placed  on  the  sides  as 


HINTS  FOR  HIKERS         153 

to  allow  you  to  exert  all  your  strength  down- 
ward from  your  shoulders  until  the  patient's 
lower  chest  region  is  compressed.  You  hold 
this  compression  for  three  seconds  and  then  re- 
move the  hands  and  allow  the  patient's  chest 
to  refill.  Repeat  the  compression  and  lung  re- 
filling fifteen  times  a  minute  for  two  hours  if 
necessary. 

(d)  After  breathing  is  established  keep  the 
patient  in  a  recumbent  position  until  breathing 
is  regular  and  put  him  in  a  warm  place  and  sur- 
round his  body  with  heat  in  some  form  such  as 
heated  stones  wrapped  in  cloths,  hot  blankets, 
etc.  If  available  for  use  aromatic  spirits  of 
ammonia  on  a  handkerchief  held  to  the  nose  is 
stimulating. 

Colds.  Take  a  hot  bath  and  a  heroic  dose 
of  physic.  For  the  aches  and  pains  take  aspirin 
tablets  (grains  5  each)  one  every  hour  for  4 
doses  then  one  every  4  hours.  If  the  throat  is 
sore  gargle  with  salt  water. 

Diarrhoea  and  stomach  cramps  may  be  due 
to  bad  water  or  improper  food.  The  results 
are  bowel  pain  and  too  frequent  movements  and 
general  weakness.  Stop  all  food  and  rest  the 
patient  in  bed  entirely.  Take  a  purge  and  after 
three  good  movements  take  a  Sun  Cholera  tab- 
let each  hour  until  three  are  taken  then  one 


154  TOURING  AFOOT 

every  three  hours.     If  without  medicine  use 
flour  mixed  with  water. 

In  Sunstroke  the  skin  stops  perspiring,  the 
skin  over  the  ribs  is  hot  and  dry,  the  face  red 
and  the  head  feels  great  pressure  of  too  much 
blood.  Get  to  a  cool  place,  lie  down,  loosen 
the  clothing  and  bathe  the  face,  chest  and  wrists 
in  cold  water  and  drink  as  much  water  as 
wanted.  In  Heat  Exhaustion  the  conditions 
are  opposite  —  the  face  is  pale  and  the  skin 
sweaty.  You  need  stimulants  such  as  tea  or 
coffee  and  are  not  to  bathe  the  skin. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

WINTER   TRAVEL   AFOOT 

FROM  the  standpoint  of  pure  pedestrian- 
ism  winter  travel  usually  has  but  little 
appeal  yet  it  represents  to  the  unini- 
tiated marvelous  revelations  in  scenic  display, 
for  the  sedentarian,  who  is  housed  in  the  vitiated 
air  of  stuffy  steam  heated  offices,  a  stimulation 
to  the  highest  degree  of  physical  well  being,  and, 
being  feasible,   projects  one's  vacation  oppor- 
tunities to  include  the  year  around. 

Once  experienced  the  exhilaration  of  winter 
travel  will  enslave  you  whether  your  indulgence 
is  for  the  annual  hunt  in  which  you  are  respond- 
ing to  the  issue  of  the  Red  Gods  calling  for 
snowshoe  or  ski  trips  across  the  waste  places, 
or,  again  you  may  follow  the  trail  of  the  Far 
North  trapper  in  which  case  your  frequently 
moved  camps  necessitate  mushing  behind  a  trail 
sled  drawn  by  huskies  or  breaking  a  trail  ahead 
of  a  bush  toboggan  propelled  by  your  own 
power.  Again  perchance  some  get  rich  quick 
frenzy  pushes  you  into  the  frozen  regions  in  ex- 
ploratory reconnaissance  for  precious  metals. 

155 


156  TOURING  AFOOT 

Just  what  causes  most  people  to  refrain  from 
outdoor  life  in  winter  is  the  fear  of  cold.  Yet 
properly  regarded  the  winter  is  the  healthiest 
time  of  the  year.  Physically  greater  exertion  is 
necessary  in  winter  to  enable  the  body  to  gener- 
ate heat  sufficient  for  protection  against  cold 
and  this  is  compensated  for  in  the  usually  in- 
creased difficulties  in  travel  over  road  or  forest 
snows.  Pure  tramping  methods  and  kits  for 
summer  must  be  modified  to  suit  new  conditions 
for  doubtless  you  will  not  have  ground  to  walk 
upon  hence  you  must  take  to  snowshoes  or  to 
ski  for  the  snow  work,  the  body  covering  must 
be  adequate  for  additional  protection  against 
the  elements,  and  the  shelter  and  bed  must  be 
especially  adapted  to  your  needs. 

Snow-shoeing  is  becoming  more  and  more 
popular  among  lovers  of  outdoor  life.  With- 
out them  northern  bush  travel  in  winter  would 
be  impossible  because  in  dense  forested  areas 
the  brush  grows  close  and  the  ground  is  filled 
with  fallen  trees  and  rocks  and  the  snow  lies 
loose  and  powdery.  Snow-shoeing  is  really  at 
its  best  after  the  middle  of  January  when  the 
early  snows  have  packed  down  and  the  weather 
is  pretty  constantly  freezing. 

So  much  has  been  written  of  the  great  tourna- 
ments of  ski  jumping  by  the  Scandinavian  ex- 


WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT   157 

perts  that  one  may  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
ski  running  for  the  amateur  is  an  unparalleled 
winter  sport  in  any  snow  covered  section  and  is 
a  necessary  part  of  the  equipment  of  mountain- 
eers whose  journeyings  take  them  far  into  the 
wilderness  probably  with  a  pack  outfit  on  their 
backs. 

In  this  country  the  winters  are  as  a  rule  mild 
and  pleasant  yet  the  average  American  does  not 
appreciate  the  benefits  to  be  acquired  from  the 
use  of  the  ski  or  the  exhilarating  and  exciting 
sport  to  be  had  with  them.  The  ski  (pro- 
nounced "  skee  ")  is  used  for  walking  (really 
toboganning  or  skating)  over  the  deep  snow, 
protecting  the  walker  from  breaking  through 
and  becoming  immersed  in  a  fleecy  bath.  In 
regions  where  the  snow  gets  to  the  depth  of  5 
to  7  feet  the  ski  is  intensely  utilitarian,  being  a 
real  necessity  for  travel  as  otherwise  travelers 
would  become  hopelessly  buried  in  the  drifts 
and  perhaps  perish.  In  this  country  it  is  becom- 
ing more  popular  each  year  and  in  many  sec- 
tions it  is  replacing  the  snowshoe  for  winter 
travel. 

With  ski  one  may  slide  down  hills  of  snow  or 
ice,  he  can  walk  over  drifts  without  fathoming 
their  depths  and  if  sportively  inclined  and 
trained  he  can  speed  downhill  so  fast  that  the 


158  TOURING  AFOOT 

sense  of  motion  is  lost  and  the  scenery  is  verily 
"  snatched  "  past  in  rapid  panorama.  Where 
the  country  is  reasonably  open  and  not  too  rough 
the  snow  becomes  fairly  solid.  Ski  are  supe- 
rior to  snowshoes  and  travel  is  far  faster  than 
with  the  web  shoe. 

In  our  mountainous  regions  there  is  good 
snow-shoeing  and  skiing  at  elevations  of  from 
200  to  3000  feet  from  December  to  April. 
The  climate  here  is  commonly  mild  with  days 
of  continual  melting  —  a  temperature  of  20  de- 
grees or  below  being  a  rarity.  The  mountain 
snows  are  deep,  forcing  our  summer  cruising 
methods  to  a  matter  of  reminiscence,  and  this 
depth  increases  very  quickly  as  altitude  is 
gained.  At  5000  feet  elevation  the  Frost 
King's  mantle  may  be  found  to  be  20  or  30  feet 
deep  but  at  this  altitude  few  cabins  for  camp 
use  can  be  depended  upon. 

Special  cold  weather  clothing  requirements 
are  imperative  for  keeping  warm  in  camp  and 
on  the  trail.  Body  warmth  depends  on  several 
things.  First,  the  body's  ability  to  make  heat, 
hence  our  attention  to  heat  forming  foods. 
That  this  heat  may  reach  all  parts  of  the  body 
and  especially  the  extremities  which  are  so  sus- 
ceptible to  cold,  the  circulation  of  blood  must 


WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT       159 

be  absolutely  unimpeded  by  such  things  as  tight 
shoes,  constricting  waist  bands  or  tight  clothing 
anywhere.  Secondly,  the  surface  of  the  skin 
must  be  insulated  by  a  loosely  woven  fabric  cov- 
ering (best  of  animal  origin)  which  retains  the 
heat  in  its  meshes  yet  allows  an  egress  of  mois- 
ture which  is  constantly  imperceptibly  emanated 
by  the  pores  of  the  skin  and  to  a  superlative 
degree  during  exercise.  Successive  thin  layers 
are  found  to  be  more  efficacious  than  one  thick 
layer  owing  to  the  dead  air  interspaces. 

The  skin  and  its  covering  must  be  kept  dry 
else  freezing  will  ensue.  Aside  from  what 
moisture  may  come  from  the  body,  wet  may 
come  from  accidental  immersion  in  streams  or 
the  air  itself  may  be  very  humid  —  the  reason 
for  our  greater  sensitiveness  to  wet  cold  than 
to  dry  cold. 

A  large  factor  of  success  in  Arctic  explora- 
tion has  been"  the  choice  of  proper  clothing. 
These  explorers  have  followed  down  to  the  last 
detail  the  natural  clothing  of  the  Eskimo  mod- 
eled after  the  protective  covering  of  Arctic  ani- 
mals consisting  of  the  impervious  integument 
itself  next  the  body  or  with  silk  intervening. 
This  fits  loosely  at  the  knee,  waist,  and  wrist, 
enabling  the  evaporation  of  constant  perspira- 


160  TOURING  AFOOT 

tion  to  the  open  air,  especially  during  exercise 
of  any  kind.  The  body  is  thus  kept  dry  and 
no  energy  is  lost  in  heat  making. 

The  usual  idea  of  the  amount  of  clothing 
necessary  to  keep  the  body  warm  and  to  prevent 
freezing  in  extreme  cold  is  erroneous.  It  is 
not  so  much  a  question  of  cold  as  the  degree  of 
dampness  on  the  body  surface  which  is  affected 
by  the  cold.  Nearly  every  death  from  freez- 
ing is  caused  by  either  getting  too  warm  and 
then  wet  through  perspiration  or  accidental  im- 
mersion in  water.  The  former  can  be  avoided 
by  having  the  clothing  sufficiently  loose  to  allow 
good  circulation  of  air  and  by  thus  keeping 
uncomfortably  cool  the  tendency  toward  perspi- 
ration is  overcome.  While  quiet  or  physically 
inactive  one  may  wear  much  clothing  as  there  is 
little  danger  of  freezing,  there  being  no  damp- 
ness present,  but  if  one  is  active  and  perspiring 
and  is  then  quiet  there  is  great  danger. 

When  any  kind  of  moisture  gets  on  the  body 
there  is  only  one  way  to  get  rid  of  it  —  by  the 
body  heat.  Clothing  does  not  warm  one,  it 
only  retains  heat  made  by  the  body.  The  draw- 
ing away  of  heat  reduces  one's  vitality  as  well 
as  affecting  the  temperature  of  the  body. 
Where  one  is  physically  active  it  is  advisable  to 
wear  ordinary  weight  warm  winter  clothing  of 


WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT   161 

the  temperate  zone.  Of  materials  wool  is  best 
next  the  body,  except  in  Arctic  work  where  a 
suit  of  silk  is  worn  under  the  fur  garments  to 
prevent  chafing.  Two  wool  union  suits, 
loosely  fitting,  will  be  found  enough.  The 
pants  should  be  of  Mackinaw  which  is  warm, 
wearable,  and  to  a  certain  extent  water  repel- 
lent. A  flannel  shirt  or  Pontiac  shirt  comes 
next  and  for  use  when  one  is  inactive  and  apt 
to  become  chilled  a  heavy  sweater  coat  with 
convertible  collar  is  indispensable.  To  break 
the  wind  a  parka  can  be  pulled  over  head  and 
trunk. 

The  parka  is  a  garment  made  like  a  large 
hooded  shirt  coming  to  the  knee.  The  edge  of 
the  face  opening  in  the  hood  has  a  ruff  of  wol- 
verine, wolf,  or  bear  to  protect  the  face.  Wol- 
verine is  by  all  odds  best  as  it  is  the  only  fur 
upon  which  the  breath  will  not  congeal.  The 
garment  is  the  most  practical  yet  devised  for 
very  cold  work.  For  use  in  the  Arctics  it  is 
made  of  squirrel  or  deer  skin  worn  with  the  fur 
outside  and  it  is  lined  with  the  fur  of  some  ani- 
mal which  will  allow  it  to  slip  on  and  off  easily. 
The  drill  parka  which  is  used  to  break  the  wind 
and  which  is  of  particular  interest  to  us  is  made 
on  the  same  model  only  larger  as  it  is  at  times 
worn  as  the  outermost  garment  of  all.  The 


162  TOURING  AFOOT 

fur  garments  are  seldom  used  by  those  who 
are  experienced  when  working  on  the  trail,  they 
are  held  in  reserve  until  camp  is  reached.  If 
in  actual  exercise  the  parka  would  be  too  hot 
and  would  cause  perspiration  to  start. 

Particular  attention  should  be  paid  to  the 
protection  of  the  hands,  ears,  face,  and  feet  — 
the  body  will  take  care  of  itself.  For  the 
hands  Scotch  wool  mitts  will  be  ample  —  mitts 
rather  than  gloves  for  the  reason  that  there  is 
but  one  space  in  each  to  be  kept  warm  whereas 
in  gloves  there  is  a  separate  place  in  each  finger 
where  heat  must  be  maintained.  A  larger  pair 
of  leather  mitts  worn  over  all  will  be  found  to 
retain  heat  besides  resisting  wear  much  better 
than  wool.  The  ears  and  face  are  protected 
by  a  wool  cap  or  llama  combination  cap  and 
sleeping  hood.  The  hood  of  the  parka  with  its 
fur  edged  face  opening  cannot  be  excelled  for 
head  and  neck  protection.  The  face  is  to  some 
extent  exposed  necessarily  for  breathing  and  the 
nose  may  be  expected  to  suffer  some.  The  in- 
tense light  reflected  from  the  snow  will  neces- 
sitate the  use  of  smoked  goggles,  those  with  rub- 
ber frames  being  best  as  no  metal  will  then 
touch  the  sensitive  flesh. 

Since  much  of  your  comfort  in  outdoor  winter 
work  or  pastime  depends  upon  the  feet  a  few 


WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT       163 

words  concerning  their  proper  care  is  not  amiss 
here.  Above  all  the  feet  must  be  kept  dry. 
They  are  pretty  apt  to  perspire  and  this  mois- 
ture can  be  absorbed  by  filling  the  bottom  of 
the  shoe  packs  with  straw  which  acts  also  as  a 
cushion.  At  the  day's  end  you  will  find  the 
socks  dry  and  the  straw  wet  —  the  desirable 
condition  as  wet  socks  will  freeze  and  the  feet 
become  chilled.  The  best  foot  covering  in  dry 
snow  is  the  oiled  moccasin  or  shoe  pac.  No 
tight  shoes  are  permissible  in  snow  work  at  all 
for  they  will  restrict  the  circulation  by  which 
the  warmth  of  the  body  is  carried  to  the  ex- 
tremities. For  wet  snow  the  outer  foot  cover- 
ing should  be  of  rubber,  since  leather  when  wet 
freezes  and  becomes  stiff  and  for  this  the  lum- 
berman's rubber  over  which  has  a  laced  leather 
top  with  rubber  foot  cover  is  unexcelled.  Next 
the  foot  wear  two  pairs  of  heavy  wool  lumber- 
man's socks  reaching  nearly  to  the  knee. 

If  one  is  lost  in  the  winter  woods  a  bivouac 
constructed  somewhat  along  the  following  lines 
will  be  found  adequate  for  the  needs  of  com- 
fort and  health.  For  cold  weather  shelter  se- 
lect for  the  site  a  hollow  deep  in  the  woods  well 
surrounded  by  trees  where  all  will  be  sheltered 
from  the  biting  winds.  Such  a  place  for  the 
summer  camp  would  not  be  best  because  a 


164  TOURING  AFOOT 

night's  rain  might  flood  the  hollow.  First  find 
a  wind  break  of  cliff,  rocks  or  fallen  tree  or 
build  one  of  rocks  or  down  timber.  If  it  is 
rainy  make  a  slant  roof  of  poles  and  shingle 
with  browse  or  bark  and  with  a  top  cover  of 
more  poles  to  hold  all  in  place.  On  the  prairie 
where  a  windbreak  is  impossible  build  two  fires 
at  right  angles  to  the  wind  and  get  between 
them.  The  smoke  will  blow  away  in  columns 
parallel  with  your  body. 

If  the  snow  is  deep  shovel  to  the  ground, 
using  the  toe  of  the  snow  shoe  or  a  flattened 
stick,  clear  a  triangular  space  about  7  by  8  feet 
at  whose  small  end,  placed  downhill,  is  put  the 
fire,  and  at  whose  small  side  lays  the  bed. 
Walls  of  snow  all  around  make  an  excellent 
wind  break.  On  deep  snow  the  fire  may  rest 
on  a  platform  of  green  sappy  logs  such  as  bal- 
sam. Where  the  shelter  is  pitched  the  snow  is 
tramped  solid.  In  such  a  camp  with  a  rabbit 
skin  blanket  and  an  all  night  fire  one  may  sleep 
comfortably  on  the  coldest  of  nights. 

In  sleeping  out  even  if  the  days  are  mild  the 
nights  are  pretty  sure  to  be  cold.  A  goodly 
supply  of  birch  bark  kindling  and  a  surplus  of 
dry  wood  should  be  laid  up.  It  is  no  fun  to 
awake  chilled  to  the  bone  from  the  icy  air  and 
have  to  fumble  about  with  wet  half  burnt 


WINTER  TRAVEL  AFOOT       165 

fagots.  Build  the  fire  to  leeward  and  within 
four  feet  of  the  bed.  If  it  is  very  cold  build 
it  above  the  level  of  your  sleeping  place  for  you 
thus  get  more  heat  and  less  smoke.  Stake  two 
back  logs  behind  the  fire.  In  very  cold  weather 
build  the  fire  against  the  windbreak  and  when 
it  is  burned  down  rake  the  embers  forward,  re- 
build the  fire  in  front,  spread  boughs  where  the 
fire  was  and  lie  there  on  the  warm  ground. 
This  can  be  repeated  several  times  during  the 
night.  If  done  thus  there  need  be  no  danger  of 
freezing. 

In  cold  weather  in  the  North,  with  probably 
the  means  of  transportation  reduced  to  a  dog 
team  or  a  back  pack,  the  ration  list  must  be  cut 
down  to  absolute  necessities.  To  facilitate  ex- 
pediency in  the  handling  of  the  outfit  in  the  cold 
the  range  of  variety  had  best  be  limited.  The 
ideal  cold  weather  ration  meeting  this  require- 
ment is  pemmican.  At  this  time  of  the  year 
the  fats  should  predominate  as  it  does  in  pem- 
mican. This  food  keeps  well,  is  very  compact 
and  can  be  mixed  in  a  variety  of  ways  palatable 
to  a  hungry  man  on  the  trail.  Pemmican  may 
be  made  at  home  by  the  method  suggested  in 
chapter  on  "  Ration  Lists."  On  such  trips  do 
not  rely  on  baking  bread  en  route  because  of 
lack  of  cooking  conveniences  and  time.  Also 


166  TOURING  AFOOT 

the  moisture  in  common  bread  will  freeze  so  use 
unleavened  bread  or  that  ready  made  hardtack 
or  ship's  biscuit  as  the  staple.  One  pound  of 
pemmican  and  pilot  bread  per  day  will  sustain 
a  man  at  hard  work. 

Vary  the  bread  ration  with  dessicated  vege- 
tables. Now  if  you  will  add  to  the  Arctic  ra- 
tion the  above  mentioned  pemmican  varied  with 
jerked  meat  and  the  hardtack  varied  with  des- 
sicated vegetables,  tea,  and  dried  milk  you  will 
have  a  well  balanced,  dry,  compact,  palatable, 
and  energy  yielding  diet. 


APPENDIX 


Tramping  Kit  Check  List 


Wear. 

Flannel  shirt. 

Whipcord  pants. 

Belt. 

Wool  unionsuit. 

Wool  socks. 

Felt  hat. 

Shoes  or  moccasins. 
Pockets. 

Map. 

Jack  knife. 

Kerchief. 

Waterproof  match  box. 

Compass. 
Pack. 

Pack  sack. 

Wool  sweater. 

Extra  socks. 

Axe. 

Small  whetstone. 

Goggles. 
Shelter. 

Leanto  tent. 

Blanket. 

Browse  bag. 
Fishing  outfit. 
Camera   and  Film. 
Medical  supplies. 

Emergency    wound    dress- 
ing. 

Z  O  Adhesive  plaster. 

Tube  vaseline. 

Cathartic   pills. 

Aspirin  tablets,   5   grains. 

Sun  Cholera  Tablets. 

Mosquito  dope. 


Toilet. 

Tooth  brush  and  soap. 
Two  crash  towels. 
Repair  kit. 
Thread  and  needles. 
Safety  pins. 
Waxed    linen   thread   and 

awl. 
Mess  kit. 

Fry  pan  and  cover. 

Aluminum  quart  pot. 

Aluminum  quart  cup. 

Aluminum  spoon. 

Fork. 

Small     butcher     knife     in 

sheath. 
Ration    List.     For    one    man 

one  week. 

Wheat  flour   5      Lbs. 

Corn  meal    4      Lbs. 

Bacon    5      Lbs. 

Beans    i^4  Lbs. 

Sugar    i^4  Lbs. 

Dried   fruit    i       Lb. 

Rice    i       Lb. 

Baking  powder   . .   l/$  Lb. 

Tea    y4  Lb. 

Salt    J4  Lb. 

Pepper    Small  amount. 

Dried    Egg    substituting   a 

portion  of  meat  ration. 
Dried  soup  and  vegetables 

for    a    portion    of    bean 

and  flour  ration. 
Wool  soap,  i  bar. 
Matches,  can  of  500. 


167 


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